Q: What does your average day look like?
A: To start I pack my bag for [volleyball or lacrosse] practice and make sure it is all set with my practice clothes and my equipment. Then the next morning I’ll wake up and I’ll make sure that’s in my car and ready to go, I’ll make sure I have a snack and I’ll go to school and work hard during the day. After school I change for practice then go to practice, work for 2 hours you know get some good reps in. and then I’ll go home and I will try to do a little homework, eat a snack, and if I have work I’ll get ready for that and go to work around either 4:00 to 5:00. I work until about 9PM, come home, and do it all over again!
Q: How have you managed the many different things you participate in over the years?
A: Well, with all the things that I participate in you know, clubs, sports, volunteering, work, it can be difficult because there’s a lot going on but,whenever I get a chance I try to make time for myself. If I find myself with an hour or 30 minutes at home I’ll try to do something that is relaxing for me. One thing I do is I read or I watch my favorite TV show or cook or something that will just take my mind off all the things that I have to do for school or sports.
Q: As a senior would you say that this lifestyle will help you in college?
A: I think it definitely will because I’ve created habits that keep me on a schedule so that I can get my work done and also fulfill the other responsibilities I have, whether it be a job, just stuff around the house, or going to sports practices. Even though I might not be playing a sport in college I will still try to keep up with physical activity and keep myself on a balanced schedule, it’s just a really good thing to do and have as a life skill.
Q: Out of all your activities what would you say you prioritize and why?
A: Out of all the things that I participate in, I think the thing I prioritize the most is really my school work because as I am going to be graduating I’m really thinking about what my future is going to be like. I am really trying to set myself up for a successful college experience and prioritizing my schoolwork is what’s really going to help me with that and it’s really going to lead me down the right path in my future.
Q: What values do you believe are essential for a successful student-athlete, and how do you embody them?
A: I think it’s really important for a student athlete to have balance in their life and this means you have responsibility but you also have good time management skills, you’re organized, you have leadership, and you demonstrate that to the underclassmen. I embody these by having a good balance between my academics and my athletics and also my personal life. It’s really important to balance those three aspects and find a happy medium between all of them because that’s really what makes a successful student athlete.
Q: Any additional information you think would be beneficial for the underclassmen looking for ways to balance their lives?
A: I think that you should just always keep in mind that you need to put yourself first and prioritize your mental health and well being. If something isn’t working for you like a sport or academic class, you can always reevaluate and make changes for what is going to maintain balance in your life.
