November is here. I repeat November is here. For many of you this month may not have that much significance, but for
NESCAC winter athletes, November 1st is the day that we can
finally begin official practices for our respective seasons. The transition
from out of season to in season is a big jump, especially since November 1st
occurs right after midterms. Being in season can alter your entire
schedule. For winter athletes, practices and games spill over from the fall semester into spring semester, limiting the classes we can take and
when we can take them. Hello, 8 am classes - how I have not missed you!
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| "Early morning classes, after morning practice" Source |
This post will focus on the skills required to survive this transition, self-care tips like in Kelly’s upcoming post, and resources available to make this transition as smooth as
possible.
Registering for Classes
For winter athletes, scheduling is a major concern as the
winter season spans both fall and spring semester. This can be a source
of stress for many, as availability for classes is narrow. Sometimes athletes are unable to take classes they need for their
major, due to the timing of the class or it’s popularity coinciding with an
unlucky registration window. For those struggling with scheduling for next
semester don’t be afraid to schedule more meetings with your major/premajor advisor,
career advisor, or even your assigned academic advising dean (don't know who your advising dean is? check it out here). I have found speaking to my academic dean to be particularly de-stressing. My dean is a great person to talk to - she has great insight into how to help students with
time-constraints and course selection. If there is a conflict
don’t be afraid to talk with your coach. The beauty of the NESCAC is that it's a
Division III league aiming to be significantly focused on academic success.
After going through the process I’ve also learned about which classes work for
me within season. Whether it’s morning classes in the spring or harder classes in the
fall, finding out what’s best for you is key towards success both in the game
and in the classroom.
Time Management
As I mentioned in an earlier post on the advantages of being a student athlete, good time management is key maintaining
sanity during the season. Since the new shift in time constraints can be a source
of particular stress it is important to plan ahead in order to have a
smooth transition. I know this will sound old school but planners and calendars
really do help. Especially if you use a tool like iCal, you can sync your
school calendar with your game and practice calendar, both on your phone
and computer. This ensures you never “double book” yourself, and you know what’s
coming up - team commitments,
work, study time, papers, exams - it's easier to plan when you can see everything that's coming up. According to Positivity Blog, the act of writing down all
your upcoming events makes you more likely to remember them. So plan ahead now!
Travel
Another large shift during in-season is the
travel. Location, location, location. Traveling can take a toll,
not only on your body, but on your mind. Look for the best places to study at Tufts as well as places to study when you are on the road. I’ve found some
places that are ideal for prime studying. Whether on the bus or in a
hotel, you have to get crafty in finding spots suitable for studying and
completing homework. Let’s beat procrastination
together!
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| "A lot of travel time" Source |
Communication
Make sure that you are on the same page with your
professors. Identifying yourself as an in-season athlete and
let professors know about your time constraints and travel commitments. And communicating this earlier, rather than later, will
make it easier to reschedule exams and papers.
Careers & Internships
While the time available for updating your resume, finishing applications and preparing for
interviews may seem limited, there are
still opportunities for athletes to take advantage of career resources while in-season. For winter athletes who come back to campus during winter break, the
Career Center is open regular hours! Winter break is a great
time to schedule a career advising appointment - fewer students schedule appointments during this time, so you'll have a career advisor all to yourself! The
Career Center is also open during spring and summer breaks (Who would have thought?). Make sure you take advantage of these valuable resources.
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| Source |
As we come to the end of these tips for the in-season
transition I have to reiterate the importance of time management and self care. It is important to make sure your body and
mind are in sync and healthy in order to be successful (For more on this, stay tuned for Kelly's post). If you need to take a
break, don’t be afraid to. Being a student-athlete can feel like working two
jobs, so making sure that you are healthy in both mind and body is very
important. Don’t forget to “Treat yo self”
Carpe Diem,
Nicole Brooks
Class of 2016
