The rigorous dedication it takes to be a swimmer and a student during the school year with the having multiple practices a week, on top of classes and homework it can be difficult balancing all of the responsibilities of a student-athlete.
“A typical day for me would be waking up 5:55 a.m. on a Tuesday to go swimming practice from 6:30 p.m to 8 a.m.,” Amanda Lynn, junior Pre-K-4 and special education major, said. “After my morning practice, I have four hours of free time before I to practice from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Then I have class from 4:35 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. and then 7:15 to 9:45 p.m. It gets harder when we get towards our Christmas break practices, which take place after finals. We have seven days worth of training. Then we get a week off and come back on Jan. 1 for more training afterward.”
The members of the swim team shown that they have put in the time and effort to balance their responsibilities. Though it must tough be to have a life on an early day in and out schedule.
“Since we’re in the middle of the season things are starting to pick up,” Thomas Ngo, senior biology major, said. “We have practice Monday through Friday and double practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays. One in the morning and then later in the afternoon. But on Thursdays, I have a couple of classes that interfere with the practice schedule but the coaches are flexible with making up time outside of practice. At times it’s tough, but it’s definitely manageable. So when I’m not in practice I’m usually in class but I usually write down what I have and need to do afterward.”
The members of the swim team are determined to balance the struggles of classes and assignments as this semester is coming to close to and final exams draw near. But swim practice can sometimes get in the way of things.
“Being on the swim team is fun but you have to be able to handle the long early morning practices and the evening practice,” Cameron Mousley, junior business management major, said. “One of the hardest things, in general, is managing school work with being a student-athlete. But, in the end, it’ll all be worth it. I like to be able to plan out my day between class and practice and take time to rest before I get started on my work.”
The members of the swim team are goal-driven, which helps them to try harder at swim practice and to get the assignments done. For some student-athletes, that could be considered stressful and overwhelming. Some balance their time accordingly with their practice schedules and make time to fit in homework and studying.
“Practices are long and hard but in the end, it all pays off,” Tara McCloskey, junior criminology major, said.” We have duel meets and we a big invitational coming up and so the time we put in should pay off. It helps me to balance my time by doing homework in my spare time when I’m not at practice. ”
The swim team has given a perfect example of why time management is important, especially to all student-athletes. With a balanced schedule and planning ahead it can be easy to balance both responsibilities.
