How to balance sports and academics in high school and excel at both

Balancing sports and studies can appear to be challenging, and as a result many high schoolers give up playing and shift their entire focus on preparing for exams.

With proper planning and organization, excellence in both is 100% achievable.

We spoke to two students of Kemp FC Academy; high schoolers who recently appeared for their ICSE Grade 10 board exams while playing football tournaments and attending training camps.

They have a few tips to share about how to excel in both domains, as they did.

1. Create a schedule that includes dedicated time slots for both sports and studies. Make sure to allocate sufficient time for studying, attending classes, completing assignments, and participating in sports. Stick to your schedule as much as possible to maintain consistency.

2. Manage your time by setting specific goals. Break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable chunks to make them more achievable. Avoid procrastination and make the most of your available time.

3. Maintain open communication with your coaches and teachers about your exam commitments. Let them know about conflicts in advance, so they can support you and help you find solutions.

4. When travelling to practice, use the time wisely to review your notes, read a few pages of a textbook, or complete small study tasks. These short study sessions can be productive if you eliminate distractions or put your phone away.

5. Prioritize self-care. Look after yourself physically and mentally. Get enough sleep, eat nutritious meals, and even watch TV if that helps you relax and recharge.

6. Seek support when you're feeling overwhelmed. Reach out to siblings, teachers or parents for assistance or advice. You can also study in groups with team mates to help each other.

7. Optimize your study time with effective study techniques. Find out what learning strategies work best for you, such as creating flashcards, summarizing key points, watching video tutorials or practicing past exam questions.

8. Stay motivated and disciplined. Maintaining a balance between sports and studies requires discipline and motivation. Remember your long-term goals and stay committed to your schedule even when it gets challenging.

We also spoke to their mothers who told us about their busy schedules and how they balanced their days before and during the exams.

"Balancing sports and studies is all about finding a rhythm that works for you. By prioritizing and managing your time effectively, you can succeed in both. I won't lie, I was worried about burn out as my daughter was attending two training camps, going for two tuition classes and also managing to make time for her weekly music class. Her self-confidence helped me calm my fears as the exams drew closer. I am very proud that she did not have to compromise or quit and has excelled in both.”, says this proud mother whose daughter was preparing for Senior Women’s National Football Championship, Indian Women’s League and also writing her board exams at the same time.

“My daughter is an organized person. She used organizational tools such as calendars and planners with help from her older sister to plan her schedule, deadlines, revisions, and avoided last-minute stress. By the time she started writing her board exams she was relaxed as she had finished several rounds of revision. She also went on a self-imposed digital detox which helped her stay away from social media distractions.", adds the second proud mama whose daughter had to travel to Chennai for U17 India selection camp for a week during the study holidays, barely two weeks before the exams and also played a local tournament during her exams.

What do the experts say?

“Regular exercise and sports can contribute to overall well-being and enhance the ability to focus on studies”, says former footballer Ms Chitra Gangadharan. “Many girls give up sports after they reach high school or college due to the pressure of academics or if their families do not support them. When I was a student, my brother supported me and insisted that I complete my education simultaneously and that is something I encourage all women to do including my own daughter. I emphasized that she completes her graduation and post-graduation while captaining the Senior State Football team and playing for the Indian National Women’s Football team, respectively. Make balance a habit. Don’t give up one or the other. You can do both. It is not impossible.”

“These girls are role models for all the younger students in our academy and club. They have proved that you do not have to stop training or playing football during exams. Sports makes you tougher mentally and you can tackle any challenges life throws at you.”, says their proud Coach, Mr Sudhakar D.

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