Managing School & Extra Curriculars

January was packed. Finals, busy weekends, a new semester, and other obligations made January feel like the longest month. Schoolwork is very heavy this time of year due to the midterm and various long weekends here and there, and sports/clubs can make it very challenging to accomplish everything on my to-do list. Over the past few months I have developed some techniques that have helped me gain better footing when it comes to school and sports, leaving a bit more time for blogging and other activities I enjoy. 

 

1. Get a planner and use it. My Lilly agenda is packed with practices, test dates, due dates, and any other possible event I need to attend or complete. Every time I need to add something, I immediately write it down. It is incredibly helpful to see not only what I need to accomplish on a day to day basis but also long term. By writing everything down, I am able to make sure I do not forget anything in my hectic schedule and can view other projects that can be worked on ahead of time. 

2. Start homework right after school. Easier said than done. This was incredibly hard for me to start incorporating into my daily routine. After hours of sitting in a classroom, I needed a break. However, once I started working on homework right after school I was able to get to bed sooner and be more efficient than I would after a break or a sports practice. Do I finish everything before practice? Most days the answer is no, but it does allow me to get to bed at a decent hour and get much more sleep!

3. Turn off electronics while working on schoolwork. While I am a bit of a hypocrite when giving this piece of advice, I have been able to start doing this much more often. Not only does it eliminate a plethora of distractions, I am able to get a significant amount of work completed in less time. By completing homework faster, it allows more time for sleep which is beneficial for school, sports, and overall health. 

4. Master getting ready quickly. Forming a routine before and after practice that is quick and easy helps me gain more time for working. Plus if I fall into a routine that I like, it often eliminates some extra stress before practice and allows me to continue working on schoolwork, which will lead to a better practice or more productivity. 

How do you manage school and extra curricular activities? I would love to hear!

xoxo,

Kathleen