Finding a Balance Between School Work and Athletics / Activities

According to USA Today, approximately 36% of Texas high-schoolers are involved in high school athletics. Despite the popularity of high school sports, many students express concerns about their ability to juggle both schoolwork and extracurricular commitments like sports programming.

At St. Agnes Academy, we understand the importance of both academic success and the sense of well-roundedness students can achieve by participating in athletics and other after-school activities.

Here are some things to keep in mind while finding a balance between school work and athletics, as well as any other activities you may participate in.

If you are struggling with time management, we want to encourage you not to give up! We want to help you find solutions to manage your core academic load while still performing your best in athletics and other programs.

After all, high school is a time of growth and exploration, where students develop their interests in sports and academics. For many students, this includes playing a sport they truly enjoy. These activities support students’ interests and help them hone new skills, which can also be valuable for college applications.

Many admissions professionals specifically seek to enroll students who demonstrate diverse interests, talents, and passions. Success both inside and outside of the classroom can enhance a student’s admissions odds while helping them cultivate a more well-rounded skill set. 

Extracurricular participation can also be vital to a student’s social development. Sports, clubs, and other student organizations present opportunities for students to build community with like-minded peers. Many of these activities actively enforce skills like teamwork and communication that will serve students well in their future endeavors.

Effective time management is crucial for students who are trying to juggle the demands of rigorous academic coursework with those of their extracurricular programs.

Here are some strategies that can help students at St. Agnes enhance their time-management skills and maintain a healthy balance between school and sports.

While this is sometimes easier said than done, often the first step towards effective time management is learning how to prioritize your obligations. If a particular task is time-sensitive, it is often best to move that task to the top of your to-do list.

Similarly, students are encouraged to prioritize important tasks like college applications, exam prep, etc., while structuring their weekly schedules. Taking this step ensures that the most critical tasks are completed first. Then, students can participate more fully in their extracurricular work without becoming overwhelmed with stress or anxiety.

Developing a consistent daily or weekly schedule can help students allocate their time effectively. The existing schedule of your extracurricular activities will heavily impact your overall weekly schedule, but you can still set aside other blocks of time to complete homework, study for tests, work on college applications, etc.

Adhering to a predetermined schedule can help reduce the temptation for students to procrastinate and can also prevent students from forgetting about certain assignments or other responsibilities.  

It is important to set achievable goals for both academics and athletics/extracurriculars. Students and their families should discuss what kinds of commitments feel realistic and doable for them from semester to semester.

If a student’s academic workload is ramping up, for example, it may be necessary for her to schedule time with a coach or counselor to figure out how to manage practices and games at the same time as schoolwork.

Open communication with parents, teachers, and coaches is vital to a student’s ability to manage her far-ranging responsibilities. If or when a student becomes overwhelmed or finds herself struggling to manage her time effectively, she should feel comfortable turning to the adults in her life for support.

Some teachers and coaches might be willing to give students extensions on certain assignments during periods of high stress. However, a student will never know what options might be available to her if she does not seek help.

While schoolwork, sports, and extracurriculars are important parts of the high school experience, it is equally important for students to find time for self-care. This might look like prioritizing time with friends and family when a student has some free time at her disposal.

The research is clear, students who overload themselves with practices, games, and courses without allowing time for social activities, rest, and relaxation are at an elevated risk of experiencing burnout.

Student-athletes and other high-performing St. Agnes students are heavily encouraged to create their own self-care plans, lean into their faith, and invest in additional, low-stress activities and relationships that bring them joy.  

At St. Agnes, we believe our students can excel in their academic coursework while still participating in the extracurricular activities they love. We offer numerous student support services to help students navigate increasing levels of responsibility throughout high school – without sacrificing happiness, health, and wellness.

If you’re interested in learning more about our support services for Academy women, reach out today to speak with a member of our Student Life team. We are ready to help you find a balance between school work and athletics that fits your specific situation.