Balancing commitments as a student-athlete may be challenging and overwhelming at times, but there are many tips and strategies that you can take advantage of to avoid burnout.
In fact, with 11 sports teams at Branson that all have frequent practices, games, and events, there are many experienced Bulls who have discovered methods to stay on top of their high school duties the hard way, so that you don’t have to.
“I really utilized my free blocks [during my freshman year] to get rid of bigger assignments, such as first drafts of essays or denser math homework,” said Tahlequah Smith ’28, a cross country runner, soccer, and lacrosse player for Branson.
When trying to have a productive free block, it is important not only to identify which homework assignments you want to complete, but also what setting enables you to work at your best.
“I think the Branson library, especially the quiet room, really helps [with completing homework assignments] because it’s very quiet. Everyone is zoned in,” said Hailey Lederer ’28, a lacrosse player and cross country runner.
With that being said, nobody has a perfect streak of completing homework assignments or showing up to practice. We all have our bouts of laziness. However, simply recognizing what halts your work effort or brings you off track can help you identify the best way to organize your time and ultimately to keep putting in your best effort.
“I think that I could have done more of my work at home to finalize and clean up my work. Setting aside time to work at home or prepare more for tests and quizzes would have been beneficial,” Lederer said.
In addition to working at home, there are other time periods, besides free blocks, that you can take advantage of to get assignments done, including flex block.
“Flex is really important too. The 30-40 minute period that you’re waiting after school before you start sports is pretty useful for completing assignments,” Lederer said.
Another benefit of participating in Branson sports is the friendships you make across grade levels with older student-athletes. They impart a lot of their wisdom about time management to younger students.
“Your older teammates and upperclassmen are a great resource for asking for advice, especially if it’s on certain assignments that every freshman does. They are super helpful, and I wish I would’ve asked for help from them a little bit more,” Smith said.
Ultimately, balancing Branson academics and sports may seem daunting at first, but with the right strategies, support systems, and organization skills, it is entirely possible to thrive in both areas.
