Student-athlete Tips for Time Management in High School

Time management is crucial for all multi-sport athletes to achieve success in the classroom and as athletes. Tips that I utilize today include using a planner, maximizing my free time at school, as well as cherishing my time with my sport. These three management strategies have helped me become a better student-athlete throughout my four years of high school. 

3 Productivity tips for student-athletes managing sports schedules

1. Use a Planner to Stay Organized in High School

One tip for managing your time better as a student-athlete is to use a planner. This is something I use every day to track every homework assignment as well as my sports schedule. In class immediately after I get an assignment I write it down. This makes it easier for me at the end of the day to see everything I have to get done in one spot. Your planner is something that you can choose to organize however you want; I tend to put it in order of what classes I have as well as to note the due date for each assignment so that I can do them in order that they are due in. I also include the times of practices and games I have that week so that I can see where I will have the most time to get assignments done. For example, if I have an English assignment due two days from now but I know I have a game the night before it is due I will try to finish that assignment before the game so that I do not have to worry about it after. 

2. Work with Your School Schedule to Balance Multiple Sports and Maintain Grades

In conjunction with using a planner, I make the most of my non-classroom time at school. Due to the St. Francis School schedule, all students are given time to work on classwork outside the classroom. During this time I like to pick a quiet spot on campus so that I can focus. I use this time to work on my homework, review for tests, and meet with my teachers and counselors. Most classes at St. Francis are year-round, so learning to utilize your time early helps you to be organized throughout the week, month, and year as sports seasons change. 

3. Cherish Your Time on the Court, Field, or in the Pool as Multi-Sport Athletes 

While I prioritize my academics as a lacrosse player, I also know that it is important to take advantage of my time on the lacrosse field to improve. I do this by getting to practice and games early so that I can stretch, warm up, and get my mind ready. This helps me separate myself from everything else that is going on in my life and solely concentrate on what is in front of me. This gives my brain a break from school so that I can return to my work with a fresh mind. 

How organization can help multi-sport athletes thrive

Time is vital for multi-sport athletes. It is important to be productive in the time that you have outside of your sport in order to be the most successful you can be as an athlete. My key tips for success are using a planner, maximizing your time, and cherishing your athletic time. It is crucial to find strategies that work best for you as a student-athlete. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your teacher, parent, coach, or any other trusted adult in your life to ask for help or advice on what works best for you.

Zia Smith ’25

I am a senior at St. Francis and play varsity flag football and varsity lacrosse. I have played lacrosse for eight years and flag football for two years. I have won the Sportsmanship Award for lacrosse as well as Second Team All-League and Defensive MVP for flag football. I am the SAAC Vice President and Lacrosse Representative. I am the Campus Ministry President of Christian Service Leadership at St. Francis. Outside of school, I spend my time coaching, and volunteering at St. Philomene’s Sharing God’s Bounty. I enjoy going to the beach and hanging out with my friends.