Handling sports and school at the same time can be very difficult.

There are two things you have to make sure you do: focus on school and always make your grades your first priority.

The best thing to do would be to make sure you plan out your week and make time for school and homework.

Junior Mickeely Dias tries to prioritize her grades.

“I try to make sure my school comes first,” Dias said. “My parents have always stressed that to me, so I try to put that first.

“But sometimes it’s hard when you’re at practice for two hours then come home with two hours of homework. Those are times when it’s very difficult, but I must be doing something right because I get pretty good grades.”

Sociologist Jay J. Coakley, a professor at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, wrote in his book “Sports in Society”: “Studies have shown that if you manage your time, stay organized, and take advantage of your free time then you should see improvement in your school work.”

If you have a lot of stress then you should find time to take a break. Find time to relax so you don’t overwhelm yourself with stress. But make sure that if you do find time to take a break then don’t start to procrastinate.

Dias also said that school comes before sports on the priority list.

“Do your homework before practice,” Dias said. “It will make everything easier and more efficient.”

Senior Gabriella Coolman found that it’s easier to create a routine rather than doing something new everyday.

“You need to have time for your work, and you have to give yourself breaks, but don’t take three-hour breaks,” Coolman said. “Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed.”

When it comes to having to do your homework, try and do it early and don’t wait until the last moment to start.

It is important that you make that your first priority. If not, then you can face some problems in the future.

The featured image in this story is from flickr.