You want your child to be successful in all aspects of life, but that can be challenging. Student athletes need to spend a significant amount of time on athletics and a lot of time studying to thrive in both areas. Chances are, your student athlete will need help finding a balance between the two main aspects of their lives while still having time for friends and family. That’s where you come in. Here are some ways you can help your child achieve a balance between school and sports.
Develop Time Management Skills
All students can benefit from learning time management skills, but it’s especially important for those who need to balance their academic lessons with extracurricular activities. Your student athlete may become overwhelmed when it’s the peak of the sports season and they see their homework piling up. Work with them to create a schedule that gives them plenty of time for schoolwork, sports practice and rest.
Help Them Set Academic Goals
Student athletes often become so focused on their athletic goals that the academic ones fall by the wayside. Work with your child to set academic goals so they can stay on track in school. Encourage them to set goals that are realistic to reach but challenging enough that they need to work to attain them. This is an important part of creating balance.
Foster Open Communication
When your child needs someone to talk to, it’s important for them to know that you’re there. Balancing schedules between school and extracurricular activities can be overwhelming. It can be even more difficult to admit that they’ve taken on too much and need to take a break. Keeping the lines of communication open will give your child comfort when they need to go to you as a resource.
Set Aside Time for Rest
Everyone needs to rest and recover, and when you have a busy schedule, rest can be hard to come by. Schedule time for rest so that your child can go back to giving it their all in the classroom and on the field. This may mean stopping them when they insist they just need one more hour of practice or one more hour to study.
Celebrate All Accomplishments
Your ambitious child may struggle to see their smaller wins while working toward the big ones. Make sure to celebrate all of their accomplishments, from acing a difficult test to helping the team score points during a game. Keep them motivated throughout the season, and be there for them when things don’t go their way. It’s important for your child to know that they have your support, no matter how the season’s going.
At North Tampa Christian Academy, we believe parents play a major role in helping student athletes succeed. Students at our Tampa private school thrive creatively, academically and spiritually in a project-based learning environment. Faculty and families work together to inspire leadership through Christian innovation. Contact us today to learn more.