My Story: Overconfidence and Poor Time Management
I thought I had it all figured out in high school. Balancing sports, friends, and school (in that order) seemed effortless. But when I stepped onto the college campus, reality hit hard. The demands of college athletics blindsided me, and I quickly found myself drowning in a sea of responsibilities.
Most people don’t realize the depth and speed of learning required to be a college athlete. It’s not just about showing up to practice and playing games. There’s film study, strength and conditioning, nutrition, planning… It’s like taking an extra class on top of your regular coursework. The physical and mental drain was real, and I felt like I was constantly playing catch-up.
The Reality of Student-Athlete Time Commitments
Before we dive into strategies, let’s look at some eye-opening statistics that highlight the time management challenges faced by student-athletes at both the high school and college levels:
- High school athletes spend an average of 10-15 hours per week on sports-related activities during their season, with many dedicating even more time.
- According to the NCAA, college athletes across all divisions spend an average of:
- 32 hours per week on athletics during their season
- 40 hours per week on academics
- A study found that 80% of student-athletes report feeling overwhelmed by their responsibilities at some point during their academic year.
- Even in the off-season, many student-athletes maintain a rigorous schedule, with 67% reporting they spend as much or more time on athletics as during their competitive season.
These numbers underscore the importance of developing strong time management skills to successfully balance athletic and academic demands.
Learning to Manage and Maximize Limited Time
It took many hard lessons and ego hits, but I eventually learned to take control of my time. I did this by:
- Creating an organizational system and blocking out dedicated time for studying, training, and friends helped me see where my time was going and identify areas for improvement. Suddenly, I could see opportunities to make the most of every hour.
- Learning to have disciplined routines, like scheduling time with university tutors, sounded like more work than I wanted to deal with, but it actually saved me a lot of time. When I was meeting with a tutor, I didn’t have difficulty starting homework, I stayed on task, and I received help when I was stuck.
- Recognizing the importance of taking breaks to recharge. I turned off my phone, focused as hard as I could when it was work time, and fully decompressed when it was time to take a break. This allowed me to be more efficient and opened free time, therefore decreasing the potential of burnout. The quality of my work and training improved dramatically.
These simple changes made a world of difference in my college experience and set me up for success. Research backs the impact of effective time management: Stanford University found that students who employ effective time management techniques can reduce their study time by 30% while improving their grades.

Teaching Your Child Time Management
As a parent, you can start teaching your child time management skills from a young age. Here are some strategies to help them prepare for success:
- Lead by Example: Demonstrate what it means to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively. Children learn more from observing their parents’ behavior than from lectures or advice.
- Scheduling Recovery Time: Just like athletes need rest days to recover from physical activity, student-athletes need downtime to recharge from the mental and emotional demands of school and sports. When planning, schedule recovery time into their routine.
- The “Stop Doing” List: Help your child identify tasks, activities, or habits that are no longer useful. This helps them focus on what’s truly important and eliminate distractions.
- Embracing Imperfect Execution: Encourage your child to focus on making progress, not perfection. By embracing “imperfect execution,” they’ll learn to prioritize completion over flawlessness and develop a growth mindset.
Adapting Time Management Strategies Based on the Season
As student-athletes’ demands shift dramatically throughout the year, adapting one’s time management approach is needed for long-term success.
Off-Season: Building a Strong Foundation
The off-season is the perfect time to focus on academics and lay the groundwork for future success. Student-athletes can:
- Invest in long-term projects and front-load academic efforts
- Take on a slightly heavier course load to get ahead in studies
- Focus on improving areas of weakness from the previous season
- Practice time management skills while the stakes are low
Pre-Season: Preparing for the Grind
As the pre-season approaches, student-athletes need to start adjusting their routines to match the demands of the upcoming season. This includes:
- Gradually adjust sleep schedules for optimal performance
- Communicate with teachers or professors about the upcoming season’s schedule
- Prepare in-season routines and study schedules
In-Season: Staying Focused Under Pressure
When the season is in full swing, student-athletes must stay focused and adaptable to maintain their performance. This means:
- Maximize efficiency to stay on top of studies and assignments
- Communicate proactively with teachers about potential conflicts
- Prioritize sleep and recovery for peak physical and mental performance
- Seek support to avoid feeling overwhelmed and maintain clarity
Micro-Productivity: Using Small-Time Windows
With student-athletes spending an average of 60 hours per week on sports and academics combined, making the most of every available moment is needed. Here’s how to leverage small pockets of time:
- Quick Review: Use small pockets to review key concepts in school or study your plays.
- Physical maintenance: Perform quick stretching, foam rolling, or mobility exercises
- Mental rehearsal: Practice visualization for upcoming games or presentations

Remember, small pockets of time add up. Using these for productivity, rather than scrolling on your phone, will give you much-needed free time later.
Common Pitfalls for Student-Athletes
Be aware of these common traps that can derail success:
- Overcommitment: Taking on too much can lead to burnout and decreased performance
- Procrastination: Putting off tasks until the last minute increases stress and reduces quality
- Neglecting self-care: Failing to prioritize rest and recovery can lead to decreased performance and increased injury risk
- Ineffective study habits: Poor study techniques can result in subpar grades and decreased confidence
Fostering Open Communication
Many athletes may resist guidance or feel they don’t need “help.” To break through this resistance:
- Ask open-ended questions: Show you care about their well-being and want to help them find solutions
- Focus on performance improvement: Highlight how effective time management can help them excel in both academics and athletics.
- Offer support and resources: Be ready to provide additional help when they’re comfortable and see the benefit.
- Celebrate small wins: Acknowledge and praise improvements in time management skills.

Sarah, a high school soccer player, was struggling to balance her demanding training schedule and AP classes. Her grades were slipping, and she was constantly stressed. That’s when she started working with us at Untapped, where we introduced her to micro-productivity and effective time management strategies.
Sarah discovered the secret to maximizing her time by utilizing small pockets of opportunity throughout her day. She used the 10 minutes before practice to review Spanish vocabulary and the cool-down period after training to outline her history essays. She’d visualize success on the field during bus rides to away games.
As the seasons changed, Sarah adjusted her strategies to stay on top of her game. She took on a heavier course load during the off-season and communicated proactively with her teachers about her schedule during the competitive season. Her organizational system helped her keep track of commitments and deadlines without the mental strain of trying to remember everything.
To combat procrastination, Sarah broke her assignments into smaller tasks and set personal deadlines ahead of the actual due dates. She also prioritized self-care, ensuring she got enough sleep, and incorporated foam rolling into her daily routine.
With guidance from her mentor, Sarah made significant progress in managing her time and balancing her responsibilities. She saw improvements in her grades and felt more in control of her academic workload. While she still faced challenges, Sarah developed the skills and confidence to tackle them head-on. By working with us at Untapped, Sarah gained a better understanding of herself and her capabilities, setting her up for continued growth and success.
Key Takeaways
- Effective time management is needed for student-athletes to excel in both sports and academics.
- Student-athletes face significant time pressures, with 67% reporting high time commitments even during the off-season.
- Implementing strategies like organizational systems, season-specific planning, and micro-productivity can maximize performance.
- Parents play an important role in modeling good habits and providing support.
- The skills developed through effective time management serve student-athletes well beyond their athletic careers.
Are you ready to help your student-athlete unlock their full potential and navigate their 70+ hour weeks more effectively?
For More:
Time Management: What College Athletes Should Expect