Balancing Rugby and Studies | Time Management Tips for College Athletes
There is no hiding the fact that new college students struggle when it comes to establishing routines regarding time management. There are often tons of assignments with very strict deadline requirements. If you add the dedication and commitment associated with being a rugby player, it is very easy to get overwhelmed.
Many student-athletes get advised by their coaches that they need to balance the demands of their academic and athletic lives. However, you are about to realize that there is so much you have not been told about being a student rugby player.
There will be tons of compulsory workouts, hectic class schedules, and having to work on assignments. To ensure that you don’t get overwhelmed, you will need to work on your time management skills. Here, we present some tips that student-athletes should follow if they want to thrive in college.
Make Practice a Priority
There is going to be serious competition for places on the rugby team. As is the case with everything else in life, making practice a priority will be critical for your success in athletics. Understand that failing to put in the work during practice will mean that your performance will be below par. Try to make sure that you attend all practice sessions as scheduled. Try to work out some of the elements of your schedule around your practice hours. This may mean prioritizing practice over other extracurricular engagements.
Start by Setting Clear Goals
The most important aspect of effective time management has clear goals. Now that you have multiple commitments, you need to identify your objectives and targets, both in athletics and academics. This could mean setting targets for your grades or a specific score for your assignments. Understand that, without clear targets, student-athletes can find it hard to remain motivated.
Make Your Priorities Clear
Now that you are combining the demands of academic life and athletics, there will be tons of competing responsibilities and duties. Knowing where to start can be a problem if you don’t make prioritizing a habit. There will be tons of assignments that you need to work on, tests and exams to prepare for, and training sessions to attend. There are those who choose to get part-time jobs to supplement their financial resources. Of course, training sessions for college rugby athletes are often well-planned.
That said, you will still need to organize your academic commitments. Make sure to identify all the tasks that you are supposed to work on and their deadlines. Organize the projects in terms of urgency and importance. This way, those tasks with close deadlines will always be completed first. There is always the option to buy essays online if the volume of assignments is overwhelming.
Stick to Routine
One important time management tip you can ever obtain relates to creating and following a routine. The independence of being a college student can be liberating, but there is the downside that you won’t have anyone to check your scheduling. You will have the responsibility of deciding whether to attend classes, when to work on assignments, and when to sleep.
If you don’t have a clear routine, issues like procrastination may emerge, and you could end up being overwhelmed. Remember, you will also be taking part in sporting activities. Having a routine ensures that you remain organized and prepared for your days. Consider creating a routine at the start of the academic semester, which you can adjust according to changing schedules as the calendar progresses.
Learn When to Say No
Since you are already combining sports and academics, you have to be careful not to stretch yourself too thin. Understand that, while involvement in clubs and other extracurriculars can help you create memories, it is critical to know your limits. Your academic and athletics should be the priority, and you should avoid those engagements that will exhaust you. Don’t be afraid to seek assistance whenever you feel overwhelmed.
Make Sleep a Priority
We understand that your life as a college athlete is very hectic, and there may be temptations to pull all-nighters to complete some projects. However, chronic sleep deprivation has serious negative implications on people’s mental and physical health. Evidence suggests that having at least eight hours of sleep each night will lead to improved performance on the pitch and in your academics.
Here, we have offered some time management tips for college rugby athletes. Despite your hectic schedule, create room for healthcare and make sure to eat a healthy diet. Also, learn to seek assistance when overwhelmed.
