Many students at Oak Park High School play a sport and it often requires a lot of attention and time. Trying to balance everything can be challenging for students, especially when trying to maintain commitment to their sport, score high grades and be involved in many extracurriculars. To help student athletes navigate these stressful challenges OPHS coaches offer important advice for how to excel in the classroom and on the field.
Communication:
In Oak Park it is important to remember that many students face challenges physically, academically and mentally. However, they have resources to help them.
“We don’t want to encourage any injuries,” said swim Coach Calley Prezzano. “A lot has to do with how we’re handling it mentally.”
One way to succeed in your sport and classes is good communication. In the classroom, learning to communicate with your teacher and other students, especially during group projects, is a key point to succeeding. The same goes in any sport you participate in. Communicating with your teammates and coaches is essential to succeeding.
Trusting your teammates in sports is also very important as the overall success of a team sport relies on the players ability to work together. If the athletes don’t trust each other, success is extremely rare.
“Empowering [student athletes] to work on things and providing tools and habits so that they can support each other is important to success,” said Calley Prezzano. “A lot of times it is easier to go to a teammate than a coach.”
A positive and encouraging team environment is crucial in many sports. Athletes perform best when others they care about are motivating and encouraging them. When struggling, talking and communicating to your teammates can create a strong and reliable team dynamic.
“Holding each other accountable, but also being there for each other and leaning on each other creates a healthy team dynamic,” junior varsity dance coach Melanie Bizzoco said. “Sometimes it might feel impossible to motivate yourself, having that connection with your team and showing up for them can be a big motivator.”
Fostering a trusting and supportive environment is also incredibly important, one where everyone on the team can feel included. Trying to shoulder the burden alone will often create more harm.
“Coming out with your friends and being part of something bigger than yourself and the individual, creates motivation,” cross-country and track coach Steven White said.
It is important to remember that you aren’t just there for yourself but also for the people around you and the program you are a part of. Having a support system filled with friends, family and coaches can be enough motivation for many people to work hard and try their best.
Time Management
The schedule for student athletes can be extremely taxing. Attending school then having games or practices,then arriving home and having to study or complete homework is exhausting. In order to make this easier for students, coaches recommend being intentional with your time, and doing your best to not procrastinate.
“[Student athletes] have to be very intentional about how they plan their day, and follow through on that plan” Steven White. “If athletes continue to put off and procrastinate especially after practice, that digs into their night time and causes lack of sleep which leads to stress.”
Holding yourself accountable for the tasks you need to complete can be extremely hard. Making intentional choices about what needs to be done and how or when that will be accomplished can make a huge difference.
“Being disciplined to do the work even when you are tired after a long day is necessary,“ said boys basketball coach Aaron Shaw.
Utilizing school resources provided can make a big difference. Support periods, study halls and block schedules are all factors that could help manage schedules much better.
“In order for students to stay on top of their studies, time management is huge; looking ahead at the week, using the block schedule to your advantage,” said coach for girls soccer Kathryn Klamecki. “If you know you’re traveling [for games] getting it done earlier makes it easier. Anytime you have time to go to support you can makeup things you might’ve missed.”
Planning in advance is a very important part of athletes’ lives. Being mature enough to know what you need to do and willing to go the extra mile to ensure things get done. Once you fall behind it can be hard to catch up, having the incentive to prevent that and using your resources to your advantage can be a big help.
Dedication
Dedication often cultivates a student athlete’s ability to succeed in different settings. But dedication doesn’t mean overworking yourself, and pushing yourself to the breaking point.
Instead when you’ve set aside time to work on your sport, or do homework, commit to what you’re doing. Don’t go halfway and decide you’re done, fully commit yourself to whatever task you want to complete.
“Staying dedicated can be challenging,” Bizzoco said. “Some days you might come into practice and feel like you can only give eighty percent. But even then, showing up and giving one hundred percent of that eighty percent still matters, don’t sell yourself short.”
What you gain from something comes from how much dedication and effort you put into it.
“Student athletes also need to have strong study skills and habits and be able to not be distracted and focus while studying,” Shaw said.
If you’ve set aside time to get homework done, only focus on the work in front of you. In practice don’t waste time, warm up and try to start immediately, listen and apply yourself to the corrections your coach gives you.
“Building a routine and lifestyle so that even when they’re not at practice they can warm up and practice on their own, learning the counts and dances show commitment,” Bizzoco said.
If you have free time during the week practicing and reviewing material can display to your coach your willingness to improve and will further advance your skill.
Healthy Habits
Maintaining healthy habits is crucial for your overall well-being and your performance as an athlete.
“It seems simple but it is important to eat right and get enough sleep each night to stay in top form,” Shaw said. “Rest and recovery should not be taken lightly. Ice and heat before or after practice and games.”
There are several ways to maintain healthy habits as a student athlete, one being nutrition. Eating a variety of foods is crucial in order to get all the nutrients that your body needs. Making sure you’re getting enough protein, grains, fruits and vegetables is one of the most beneficial things you can do for yourself and your body as an athlete.
“Make sure you’re taking care of yourself, keeping a good schedule where you are getting a lot of sleep and eating healthy,” girls soccer coach Kathryn Klamecki said.
Prioritizing self care involves several important steps such as eating healthy; however, it is not the only thing you should be doing for yourself as a student athlete. Getting enough sleep at night is a big part of keeping your body healthy. No diet or exercise plan will ever be able to make up for a lack of sleep. Sleeping more at night helps to give your body energy for the day and also reduces your overall stress levels.
It is important to remember that no matter what issues you are dealing with, the coaches at OPHS are here to help.
