Hinsdale South athletes are expected to balance full school days, sports practices, and homework, all without burning out. Spring is an especially stressful time for students with finals and AP Exams coming up. I figured these student-athletes might have some helpful tips on how to accomplish so much with only 24 hours in a day.
Junior Anna Wilcox is a three-sport athlete and is busy year round with practices 5-6 days a week. On top of that, classes like AP US History and AP Computer Science give upwards of 30 minutes of homework each night.
“Take advantage of the time you have [and] get a planner to keep track of daily homework,” Wilcox said. She tries to get some work done during lunch and does the rest of her homework right when she gets home.
Freshman Alysia Lu, who does Danceline and track, said similar things, emphasizing the importance of putting away distractions such as phones.
“[Do] as much of it in school or during lunch” Lu suggested.
Eva Borsuk, a senior badminton player had different views, however.
“If you have good grades then it’s not hard,” Borsuk said. “If you know what to do in the class you just do the same thing [at home]”.
“During basketball season, usually, my grades are higher because I have more motivation,” junior Coltin Lin said.
Schools often have rules in place to make sure student-athletes don’t fall behind in school. At South, students cannot participate in sports with a failing grade and therefore it forces them to bring their grades up if they wish to play.
Though participation in sports during the school year is challenging, it can be rewarding and beneficial as well. According to the University of Bridgeport, sports help students concentrate, improve time management skills, connect with their peers, and live happier lives.
“Sports help me make friends and get exercise without having to go to the gym,” Lu maintained. “It is a good way to stay active while still doing something you enjoy”.
For Wilcox, sports impacts many aspects of her life. “Sports have really given me a community to rely on. I’ve met some of my best friends through sports.”
