Over half of O’Dowd’s student body plays a sport, a total of 700+ student-athletes distributed between 16 sports and 48 teams, with additional athletes playing sports outside of school. How do all these student manage their time with school, sports, and anything else they might do?
As AP exams and finals approach, time management becomes even more important. Students have a lot to keep up with, so using their time wisely can help them stay organized and less stressed.
School sports often occupy 3-4 days of the week and about 1.5-2.5 hours each day, depending on whether it’s a game, or a practice. This doesn’t account for travel time, especially if students live far from where practices are held, or if they have away games. On top of that, students have homework that can take anywhere from 1 to 4 hours daily, depending on classes and workload. Additionally, students need to fit in dinner and make sure they get to bed on time. Sleep is of utmost importance, as doctors recommend that students aim for 8-10 hours of sleep each night.
O’Dowd student-athletes use a variety of strategies to best manage their time in the classroom and on the field. Soccer player Maddie Keane ’29 said, “ I try to use my flex productively, prioritizing most important assignments so I’m not cramped the day before.” Maddie is right, planning ahead and using your time wisely can make a very big difference compared to procrastinating.
O’Dowd soccer player Emma Rocha ’29 said that she tries to “get as much work done during free time and flex and make sure spread all your work out so you have.” Similarly, Track and Field thrower Najae Ellison ’29 said that she “uses club and office hours wisely and time after school to complete all of my work.” Both Najae and Emma have adopted similiar strategies to make the most of available time they have.
While balancing these responsibilities can be difficult, using the strategies Maddie, Emma, and Najae mentioned can help students find a balance between school and sports. This balance can help students stay organized, reduce stress, and stay on top of all their work.
