Whether you’re a middle school student picking up a racquet for the first time or the star singles player on your high school varsity team, playing tennis requires dedication, discipline, and a great work ethic. In order to be competitive you have to condition your body, test your physical limitations, and push yourself to improve.
But committing yourself to tennis doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your social life, education, or work. Many student-athletes worry about maintaining their lifestyle off the court, and have difficulty balancing their hectic schedules.
Without learning how to effectively manage your time, it’s extremely difficult to succeed on the court and in the classroom. Follow these suggestions and you will be a step ahead of your competition, and hopefully, on the right path to obtaining a college diploma.
Grades First
You could be the most skilled and gifted athlete on your team, but you’re useless to your coach if you’re academically ineligible. Very few college programs want to invest time and money on recruiting or training a player who can’t stay on the court.
High school is a great opportunity to prove your versatility, by being both a talented athlete and capable student. Not only will good grades create more opportunities for you during the application process, but it could also be a factor in recruiting. Having better grades than another recruit could be the deciding factor that helps you earn a spot on the squad over other student-athletes.
Additionally, your grades reflect your personal character. If you can maintain a respectable grade point average, it shows that you are a disciplined individual and motivated worker. No program wants a team full of lazy and half-interested athletes, and good academics makes you stand out as a sharp, receptive, and coachable individual.
Also, it’s important to keep in mind that most student-athletes eventually enter the workforce. If you’re considering going to college, don’t base your decision solely on the athletic department. You may continue to play tennis for a long time, but receiving a high-quality education will be important for the rest of your life.
Meet with Teachers & Advisors
Most faculty members love to offer advice and help students who are passionate about their studies. If you express interest in your education they will undoubtedly be receptive and provide you with support. Never feel embarrassed or reluctant to approach a teacher or advisor. If you are concerned about an upcoming exam or confused by a lesson plan, set up a meeting with your professor for additional help. Openly communicating with your teachers shows that you are interested in doing well, so make sure you have their e-mail address and other contact information.
Slacking off and doing the bare minimum does not establish a good reputation. Teachers often reward students who work hard and display an interest in the subject matter. Show your teachers that you genuinely care about your education, and you will definitely feel less stress inside and outside the classroom.
Role Call
While this may go without saying, you need to regularly show up to class. Sleeping in or taking an extended lunch might feel liberating and necessary, but you cannot afford to make these types of mistakes. As a student-athlete you already have a demanding schedule, and missing class will put you behind.
Avoid this temptation, and show up to class every day. Not only can you become academically ineligible if you miss class, but you will have to spend more time outside of class learning the material you missed.
Curb the Attitude
How you carry yourself and treat the people around you does not go unnoticed. Coaches don’t want a player that is a negative influence on the team or cannot work well with others. A single player’s attitude, whether positive or negative, can infect or ignite an entire group, so don’t draw attention for the wrong reasons.
You can impress any coach, even college recruiters, if you show up to practice early, constantly try to learn, and give it your all. Most coaches would prefer to have a team full of average athletes that are motivated and want to succeed as a team, rather than a team full of all-stars incapable of working together.
Organization & Scheduling
Balancing sports and schoolwork is difficult, so organization is absolutely crucial. Whether you are a middle school athlete or top college player, you have responsibilities on and off the court that take up a huge portion of your time. Between practices, scrimmages, matches, conditioning, schoolwork, and your personal life, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. For this reason, it’s extremely important that you manage your schedule and write down all of your responsibilities in a calendar or daily planner. A planner prioritizes what’s truly important, and helps you figure out what needs to be done immediately or in advance.
Here’s an example of what your calendar might include:
- Class and sports schedule
- Weekly homework and assignments
- Upcoming quizzes, tests, exams, and projects
- Meetings with teachers, advisors, and other faculty members
- Appointments (coaches, doctors, etc.)
- Personal commitments like birthdays, dates, parties, etc.
- Chores and errands
Simply writing down your daily, weekly, and monthly tasks helps you manage your time. Chances are, once you jot down your everyday duties you will have a better idea how to spend your time and take care of your responsibilities. If you are unorganized and forget about a class project, your whole day could be spent playing catch-up, and you will likely have to desert other activities and obligations to save time.
Prioritizing necessities, like schoolwork and sleep, helps you avoid distractions and stay on task. Playing video games and text messaging your friends all night can provide a refreshing break, but you won’t have time every day to fit leisure activities into your schedule. Establish priorities and stick to what needs to get done.
Cap & Gown
Getting your diploma, whether from middle school, high school, or college, is your most important responsibility. Your grade point average is more valuable than how fast you serve the ball, and your education provides an enormous amount of opportunities. Be proud of your accomplishments on the tennis court, but make sure you take care of your off-court tasks as well. Your time as a student-athlete can be one of the most enjoyable periods of your life, so cherish every moment.
