Combining studies with long hours of football entertainment is a challenge you will have to face if you want to be a high-performance athlete. Balancing academic and sporting life can be a difficult but not impossible task. The dedication needed to succeed in both fields requires effective skills such as time management and a clear understanding of personal priorities. You should keep in mind that a good academic performance, an extra effort you make in addition to your football training, allows you to have better opportunities in your professional future. Therefore, you will get comprehensive training and opportunities both on and off the field.
For that reason, here are some tips to help you manage and achieve that balance in both disciplines.
- Organisation and efficient time management
In order to achieve a successful balance between studies and top-level football, it is essential to organise a study and training routine. Proper planning will allow you to devote sufficient time to both your academic and sporting development. However, poor organisation will lead to emotional and physical exhaustion, leading to poor performance in either or both disciplines. On the other hand, organisation has to go hand in hand with good communication with your coaches and teachers. As there will be times when you will have to adjust your timetable, such as when an exam and a major football event coincide. Remember that good organisation will maximise your productivity and harmony in both training fields.
- Discipline and commitment
On the other hand, getting your schedule right requires discipline and commitment, for example, it can sometimes be tempting to postpone schoolwork in order to practice more hours in the field, but this will only increase the pressure and negatively affect your academic performance in the end. Good discipline that relates to principles of order and consistency should be focused on goals and objectives, so that you have the motivation to not give up along the way, and to concentrate on focusing on your priorities. The discipline you exercise in your academic and football studies should be linked to certain habits such as being punctual for all your training classes or doing your homework on time. Don’t forget that discipline is a habit that develops over time. The more you practice and commit to your plan, the easier it will be to maintain balance.
- Taking care of mental and physical health
Both academic and football studies are mutually beneficial. Playing sport has a number of benefits for your studies, such as helping you to manage stress effectively and your ability to concentrate and remember. Sometimes when you prioritise long hours of study, there are often intervals of distraction because it is a way that your body manifests the need for some physical activity, and it is sport that reconciles this need. However, when you do not manage your activities well or, as in the case above, you focus too much on one activity rather than the other, and your goals are to achieve both disciplines, your mental and physical health can suffer. In addition, striking a balance between the two will require you to prioritise your health as well. Therefore, you will need to get enough rest to be able to perform in all your tasks and commitments, and eat a healthy diet. It will also be good for you to get psychological support because it’s not only about balancing your studies, but also your personal life. Therefore, maintaining the balance in all senses that comes with studying at a high level will be the key to your development as a young player.