Being a student who plays travel sports requires a lot of commitment and time. You’re at school all week, with practices and over the weekend you have games.
“Volleyball really helps me with my time management because I have to even out my studying time for each class. It has kept me more organized and aware of what’s happening in the subject.” Sophomore Joelle Pulfer.
When you have practices before or after school, it makes your day shorter giving you less time to complete other tasks.
“I come to school tired sometimes and playing volleyball also gives me less time to complete my homework.” Pulfer said.
Some people have to stay up very late to complete school work and/or wake up super early to get things done.
“When I miss school due to volleyball, some of my teachers will let me have an extra, or longer deadline, because they know I won’t be at school or they will understand that I might not have Wi-Fi or be able to use my computer,” Pulfer said.
Being on a travel sport team can also affect your mental health, because it’s so much extra pressure and work.
“Quote about how its hard mentally”
Sometimes it’s hard to see the positives, but sports are also mentally really good for students.
“It definitely helps with my mental health because I have teammates to lean on. I know I’m not the only one going through the process. And I also, getting exercise makes me feel so much better and it even helps me sleep more sometimes.” Pulfer said.
With late nights and early mornings, it gets hard to stay motivated to do school work and your sport.
“I’m a high achiever, and I want to have a successful future. So just reminding myself that I’m doing this for my future keeps me so motivated.” Pulfer said.
One big downside when it comes to playing a travel sport is missing out on regular high school events.
“Some weekends, for example, in February this year, I had no free weekends. I was at tournaments every weekend and I definitely missed out on a lot of things with my school friends.” Pulfer said
The best thing about sports is the life long lessons that come with it.
“I learned how much positive talk impacts other people and how to be a leader both in volleyball and in school. And just how to be a better person to others.” Pulfer said
