Balancing Rugby and Academics | Tips for College Students
Student-athletes face numerous challenges when it comes to balancing the demands of their academic and sporting lives. Of course, as a rugby player, good performance and contributing to your team is very important to you.
However, while there are many benefits of engaging in sporting activities in college, time management can sometimes be an issue. It is often a good idea to strike an ideal balance between dedication to sports and academics. To help you strike that balance, you can resort to paper writing services for college students and, from time to time, choose to buy essay online cheap.
During the freshman year, college students struggle with numerous challenges, including adjusting to an increasingly hectic schedule. They are just transitioning from high school and are now tasked with planning their schedules and making their own decisions.
If you are a student-athlete, things are bound to be more complicated. Understand, however, that with proper planning and the right attitude, you can excel in college as a student-athlete. Here are some tips to help you thrive.
• Keep Excellent Communication with Your Professors
Now that you plan to juggle the demands of playing rugby with those of academic life, there are bound to be conflicting areas. Keep your professors updated on your schedule, allowing them to prepare as much as possible for your absences from class.
You will need to show that you take your academic commitments very seriously by completing and submitting assignments on time. You could spend after school hours or some lunches in class catching up with the material you missed. Understand that communication and respect will be critical in getting you the required academic support.
• Work on Your Time Management Skills
Time management is an important skill for everyone, whether students or those in employment. However, as a student-athlete, you will find that there is relatively more work to do compared to what other learners have to deal with.
Also, you have to understand that the time-management skills you develop now will have a huge influence on how you manage your time in the future as a working professional. It makes sense, therefore, to start refining this skill as early as possible.
Recognize the fact that as a rugby player, athletics and academic commitments will occupy much of your time. This will mean that you have less time for other engagements like club membership. Don’t feel guilty about it. Instead, plan well and enjoy giving your academics and sporting life your best effort.
An important time management tip for student-athletes is to avoid procrastination. From time to time, there will be those mundane tasks that you will lack motivation for. Even when you feel that there is a lot of time left before a deadline, avoid delaying getting started.
Also, avoid distractions like social media. Evidence shows that the most successful people limit checking their social media accounts and emails to just once a day. To manage your time, look for those areas where you waste much of your day. Make a point of working on these distractions to create space for what matters.
Also, plan for your assignments and learn to prioritize tasks. You can start by creating a to-do list, making sure that you complete the most urgent projects first. Don’t be afraid to seek an online essay writing service UK if you feel overwhelmed.
• Recognize Your Priorities and Responsibilities
Although you will be expected to show commitment to your rugby coach and team, your main reason for being in college is to study. Understand that your athletic commitments are part of extracurriculars. Also, appreciate that even the most talented rugby players in college are not guaranteed a career in athletics after graduation.
Even if you can use college athletics as a launchpad for a professional career in sports, you may still need to have a career or do business. The bottom line here is that, even if you are passionate about sports, your academics should always be a priority.
• Take Good Care of Yourself
We understand that, with your busy schedule, self-care can sometimes take a back seat. However, please note that you need optimal mental health to deliver on all your responsibilities. You don’t want to be frustrated and exhausted after each day. Avoid stressful situations whenever possible, and don’t hesitate to seek support whenever you are overwhelmed.
In this article, we have explored some tips that college rugby players can use to balance the demands of athletics with academics. Taking care of yourself also means eating healthy food and taking lots of water. We know that you are working with a strict budget, but it is still possible to have decent meals. Budget well and make sure to include fruits and vegetables in your meals.
