Imagine waking up at 6 a.m., going to school, then going the practice for hours afterwards and by the time you get home its already time to start getting ready for bed. This is the average day for many athletes. Playing a sport is hard work and may take up hours of your day. This is what it takes to be a student athlete.
Eigth grader Raelynn Woomer plays volleyball and track and has a way of organzing her day in order to make sure she fits everything into her schedule.
“Usually, I do my homework in my last class, and I practice whenever I’m home and have nothing to do,” says Woomer. “And on weekends, I hangout with my friends.”
Practicing when there is free time doesn’t work for everyone because there may be pre planned practices, especially when its that specific season. A downside of this may be playing a sport may be too much while dealing with the other factors of life.
Eighth grader Abigail Chverchko says that playing a sport clashes with school and other extracurriculars. She used to swim and participate in drama after school.
Chverchko said, “Because of when practices were, I barely had time for dinner and sometimes had to eat at 10 p.m. on school nights. Sometimes I also had to do my homework at drama.”
My suggestion is athletes could try to get their homework done earlier in the day. They could also try to eat a snack before practice like a protein bar or an apple. Calling or texting friends and family after practice and school is a good idea to catch up with them. A schedule that outlines practices wouldn’t hurt. It would prevent accidentally overlapping things or forgetting when something is.
Even though playing a sport can cut into an athletes schedule, it can really be a good thing. Many people are passionate about their sport because it’s fun. Participating in a sport can help people stay physically active, and it can be a great way to get out anger too.
Even though Woomer has to plan out her day in order get everything done, she loves to be involved with sports, especially track.
Woomer says, “I love track because I like beating a lot of people during sprints, and I liked jumps because jumping in the sand was fun.”
Woomer also mentions that making up challenges to compete in with her friends was fun too.
Without a doubt, there are upsides and downsides to playing a sport and being involved with athletics. While it may take hours of your time and plenty of hard work, it is rewarding. This is what it takes to be a student athlete.
