The balance between education and participating in sports can put stress on teenagers at Pasco High. The need for a strategy is clear because some people balance their schoolwork differently throughout the week.
When you’re tired after a long day of school and practice, getting homework done can feel super hard. “I balance my schoolwork after a long day of practice by making sure I go home, get a good dinner in, and make sure I take a shower. I would like to go play video games, but first I tell myself I’ve got to finish this hour and a half of homework,” Sam MacDuff said. This means it’s important to take care of yourself first. Eating a good meal and taking a shower can make you feel better and more ready to work. Even if you really want to relax, it’s smart to tell yourself that your homework needs to be done first. It’s all about deciding what is most important at the moment.
Sometimes, it feels stressful to do schoolwork and sports at the same time. A good way to handle this is to pay attention in school. Sam MacDuff also said, “I handle the stress by telling myself not to goof off during class and make sure I’m paying attention. I make sure I’m focusing, I’m doing as much work as I can in school. Make sure I talk to my teacher for work, in either making sure I get that all done.” This means trying your best to learn in class. If you focus and get your work done while you’re at school, you won’t have as much work to do later. Also, talking to your teachers if you need help is a great idea. They are there to help you succeed.
If you find it hard to keep track of everything, here is some simple advice from Jessica Delagarza. “The biggest thing I say is to make sure you’re going to bed on time, make sure you are paying attention, asking questions. If you’re behind on homework, teachers will help you.’’ Getting enough sleep is super important for your brain and body. Paying attention in class helps you learn and know more, and asking questions makes sure you understand. And remember, teachers want to help you, so don’t be afraid to ask if you’re falling behind.
Sometimes, you have to give up something to do well in both school and your sport. It means making choices. Jessica Delagarza also said, “Yes, I have made lots of sacrifices. One of the biggest ones is I had 3 F’s, and I wasn’t going to play in my game, so I stayed working late on past assignments and would only get 3-4 hours of sleep.” This shows that sometimes you have to work hard, even when you’re tired, to make sure grades are good enough to keep doing the sport you love. It takes lots of effort, but it’s worth it.
Having a busy schedule is normal for students who do a lot of work. Here’s an example of a full day from Sam MacDuff. “At about 5:30 am, I go running for three or four miles, and then I get ready for school. Then, during my 6th period, I go home and work on my internship. Then I have practice and go home and work on some homework.” This shows how important it is to plan your day. So balancing school and extracurriculars is all about being smart with your time, taking care of yourself, and asking for help when you need it. It might be hard sometimes, but it’s how you can do great in school and still be involved in the sports you care about.
