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What would be the best methods for time management when trying to maximize grades and athletics?
Going into the medical field while trying to keep my athletics and other extracurricular activities.
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3 answers

Charlotte Geiger
Public Health Science Student at the University of Maryland
151
Answers
Sykesville, Maryland
Updated
Charlotte’s Answer
Hello,
Balancing academics, athletics, and extracurriculars while preparing for the medical field requires strong time management, but it’s definitely possible with the right habits. The best methods are:
Create a weekly schedule: Block out time for classes, practices, studying, workouts, and rest. Treat study time like a real appointment you can’t skip.
Prioritize tasks daily: Make a short list each day of the top 2–3 things you must complete, especially assignments or workouts tied to deadlines.
Use small gaps wisely: Study in 30–45 minute chunks between classes or after practices instead of saving everything for late nights.
Set early deadlines: Finish assignments a day or two before they’re due so unexpected practices, games, or injuries don’t throw you off.
Be realistic about commitments: Only take on extracurriculars that truly matter for your goals — quality over quantity matters, especially for medical school.
Prioritize sleep and recovery: Staying healthy improves both your academic focus and athletic performance. Poor sleep ruins both quickly.
Stay flexible but consistent: Some days you’ll have to shift things around, but having a basic daily structure helps keep everything moving forward.
Balancing academics, athletics, and extracurriculars while preparing for the medical field requires strong time management, but it’s definitely possible with the right habits. The best methods are:
Create a weekly schedule: Block out time for classes, practices, studying, workouts, and rest. Treat study time like a real appointment you can’t skip.
Prioritize tasks daily: Make a short list each day of the top 2–3 things you must complete, especially assignments or workouts tied to deadlines.
Use small gaps wisely: Study in 30–45 minute chunks between classes or after practices instead of saving everything for late nights.
Set early deadlines: Finish assignments a day or two before they’re due so unexpected practices, games, or injuries don’t throw you off.
Be realistic about commitments: Only take on extracurriculars that truly matter for your goals — quality over quantity matters, especially for medical school.
Prioritize sleep and recovery: Staying healthy improves both your academic focus and athletic performance. Poor sleep ruins both quickly.
Stay flexible but consistent: Some days you’ll have to shift things around, but having a basic daily structure helps keep everything moving forward.
Updated
Dino’s Answer
Hello Gavin,
Thank you for reaching out to us. You've asked a great question! Balancing both schoolwork and sports is impressive, and I admire students like you who manage it well. Here’s how you can excel:
1. **Seek Support**: Don’t hesitate to ask for help from teachers, friends, or family. They can offer valuable guidance.
2. **Develop Study Skills**: Our school emphasizes good study habits at the start of each year. We provide sessions that help you plan your personal, social, and career development.
3. **Set Ambitious Goals**: Aim high with your goals. For example, strive for a 95% in subjects like math and science. This encourages you to exceed expectations.
4. **Regular Check-ins**: We review progress every grading period. If you meet or exceed your goals, analyze what worked. If you fall short, identify areas for improvement.
5. **Keep Pushing**: Avoid setting low goals, like aiming for 85%. While 85% is decent, aiming higher will push you to do your best.
6. **Stay Motivated**: High stakes drive better performance. By setting challenging targets, you increase your chances of success both academically and in sports.
Remember, even if you don’t hit every target, aiming high ensures you perform above average. Keep striving, and you’ll achieve great things!
Thank you for reaching out to us. You've asked a great question! Balancing both schoolwork and sports is impressive, and I admire students like you who manage it well. Here’s how you can excel:
1. **Seek Support**: Don’t hesitate to ask for help from teachers, friends, or family. They can offer valuable guidance.
2. **Develop Study Skills**: Our school emphasizes good study habits at the start of each year. We provide sessions that help you plan your personal, social, and career development.
3. **Set Ambitious Goals**: Aim high with your goals. For example, strive for a 95% in subjects like math and science. This encourages you to exceed expectations.
4. **Regular Check-ins**: We review progress every grading period. If you meet or exceed your goals, analyze what worked. If you fall short, identify areas for improvement.
5. **Keep Pushing**: Avoid setting low goals, like aiming for 85%. While 85% is decent, aiming higher will push you to do your best.
6. **Stay Motivated**: High stakes drive better performance. By setting challenging targets, you increase your chances of success both academically and in sports.
Remember, even if you don’t hit every target, aiming high ensures you perform above average. Keep striving, and you’ll achieve great things!

Paul Rogers
Solutions Engineer | Technical Consultant | Leadership Mentor
18
Answers
Tacoma, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
Hi Gavin,
Awesome that you’re thinking ahead about balancing academics and athletics — that mindset will make a huge difference.
Here are a few time management strategies that can really help:
Prioritize ruthlessly: Every week, know your 2–3 biggest priorities (academics first, then athletics, then extras). Focus on winning your biggest priorities first.
Use a real calendar: Block out study time, practice time, and downtime. Treat study sessions like scheduled practices — show up for yourself the same way you show up for your team.
Batch similar tasks together: Group similar work (studying, writing, errands) instead of constantly switching between tasks. You’ll save energy and stay focused.
Protect your recovery: Rest isn’t a luxury — it’s fuel. Build in sleep, downtime, and mental resets into your schedule. You’ll perform better in school, in sports, and in life.
The best performers — in sports, business, or life — aren’t the busiest. They’re the ones who are most intentional about their time and energy.
You're already ahead by asking these questions now — keep building these habits early and you'll crush it both in the classroom and on the field!
Create a weekly schedule every Sunday night for the week ahead.
Pick 1 day a week to do a full reset (review goals, plan next moves).
Practice saying no to activities that don’t move you closer to your goals (huge leadership skill).
Awesome that you’re thinking ahead about balancing academics and athletics — that mindset will make a huge difference.
Here are a few time management strategies that can really help:
Prioritize ruthlessly: Every week, know your 2–3 biggest priorities (academics first, then athletics, then extras). Focus on winning your biggest priorities first.
Use a real calendar: Block out study time, practice time, and downtime. Treat study sessions like scheduled practices — show up for yourself the same way you show up for your team.
Batch similar tasks together: Group similar work (studying, writing, errands) instead of constantly switching between tasks. You’ll save energy and stay focused.
Protect your recovery: Rest isn’t a luxury — it’s fuel. Build in sleep, downtime, and mental resets into your schedule. You’ll perform better in school, in sports, and in life.
The best performers — in sports, business, or life — aren’t the busiest. They’re the ones who are most intentional about their time and energy.
You're already ahead by asking these questions now — keep building these habits early and you'll crush it both in the classroom and on the field!
Paul recommends the following next steps: