It is very easy to get caught up in an activity, like a sport, that you simply do not want to put any energy into anything other than your activity of choice. For example, this is my senior season of soccer, and I am the captain of my soccer team this year. I have felt more pressure than ever to always be at practice, get there early, stay late, help the other girls, and always be practicing at home. Over the years, I have found myself struggling to find motivation to do anything other than my sport in the spring. However, there is still standardized testing, grades, and simply the woes and pressures of being a high schooler. I thought up a list of things I do commonly to ensure that I am preparing well for my AP and IB tests, keeping up with my sport, keeping up with my grades, and staying in touch with my friends.
- DO ASSIGNMENTS AS THEY ARE ASSIGNED
I understand as well as anyone that procrastination is very easy to slip into.
When a deadline is more than a week away, I know I have the tendency to just
put it off and put it off until I can’t put it off anymore. By the time I realize the due
date of the assignment, it is too late, and I feel too overwhelmed and do not want
to complete the assignment. I have found that doing assignments as they are
assigned has allowed me the opportunity to spend more time doing things that
enjoy, like soccer! It doesn’t lessen the amount of time that I spend doing the
assignment, but also doesn’t overwhelm me to the point where I feel like I can’t
participate in my sport. Also doing assignments as they are assigned means no
missing assignments and better grades!
2. SET GOALS!
I find that this tip works year round and for anything you can imagine. Setting
goals that are reasonable, reachable goals are more helpful than you would
think. For example, I set daily goals for my school work, my personal health, and
soccer! My soccer goal is to make 25 saves at every practice (I am a goalie).
My personal goal usually involves either organizing one item in my room, doing a
face mask, taking an extra long shower, or spending time with my family and
pets! My school work goal is almost always to use the time while I’m in school
effectively. If I use the time in school to my advantage and do my homework
whenever I have down time, I find that I can spend more time at practice or more
time relaxing after practice. Setting an easy reachable goal puts you in the
mindset that you can do anything, this mindset is very important to maintain
throughout your life!
3. STAY ORGANIZED!
Keeping your workspace organized for school or keeping your room organized
can help you maintain a positive mindset. This one is the most important to me.
I have realized over the years that I do not do as well as practice or at school if
behind closed doors I am a mess. I find that keeping my desk organized, making
my bed, and having a clean closet help me separate my anxieties from the actual
problems I have to face. This one will differ from person to person, but I enjoy
feeling in control and staying organized helps me feel in control.
4. DISPLAY ITEMS OF MOTIVATION!
For me, I display all of the uniforms for this season! I find that displaying my
uniforms makes me work harder to be able to wear them! Keeping up eligibility
and working hard to maintain your position is incredibly important. My uniforms
remind me why I play soccer, the feeling I get when me and my team take the
field, and the reason why I keep playing a team sport. Although your uniforms
may not be your item of motivation, having something you can look at as you
work throughout the day helps keep what you love to do in the back of your mind
. If you don’t love what you do, then there is no need to worry about it! Keep
focused on what you love and what matters to you!
5. MAINTAIN A HEALTHY MINDSET FOR YOU!
Playing the sport that I play and the position that I play, require me to keep my
mind clear of anything else when I take the field. I know I am not the only one in
the world that feels immense pressure when I am about to play a game.
Although I feel the weight of my entire team, they always remind me that they
have my backs anytime I need them. Whether that is in practice, in a game, or
while I’m doing school work! My position requires a very specific mindset, I have
to do what I have to do to maintain that. Understand that every person requires
different maintenance to keep a healthy mindset for them. What works for me
may not work for you.
Although participating in a sport at any time of the year is difficult, I understand the pressures of being both a spring and fall athlete. Being a spring athlete is very difficult because the second semester is when expectations are heightened and curriculums get harder. No matter what sport or activity you’re involved in, love what you do. You only get so much time in high school, middle school, and college, so why do something you don’t love. You never know when your last season is going to be, for me it’s this year. My last season in the sport that has been my passion for so many years is such a bittersweet moment. My teams, my coaches, my family, and everyone who has been involved in my life along the way are always in my mind when I’m playing. I know the moment I take the field for the last time, I will have accomplished so much. Being an athlete is not just physically taxing. Every athlete has to face the mental and emotional obstacles that are involved with being an athlete. So, love what you do and do what you love!
