To student-athletes at MFS, managing workload can feel like a daunting task. Sports can demand a lot of time and attention, which can make it difficult to focus on schoolwork. Learning to find a balance between the two competing worlds is an important skill to have, and it is one that will end up being beneficial in the future. So, who better to give advice than the MFS athletes themselves?
"It is really hard [to balance athletics and academics]. For example, I had an essay due from [Mr.] Thomson [for history], a worksheet due from [Ms.] Slocum [for chemistry], an essay I had to prepare for [Mr.] Sussman [for English], and a pre-calc test, and I had all of that today that I’ve been trying to juggle, and it can get overwhelming at times. [To manage sports and academics], you have to plan really well and be productive. I take my phone away after a certain time, because if I don’t I won't get a single thing done and I’ll forget to do my homework. Also, make sure you ask for help, and always be open to your teachers. They know that it’s hard to play a sport.”
TLDR: Ask for help. Always be open with teachers.
- MADDIE CALIXTO '25 (FIELD HOCKEY, BASKETBALL)
[Sports and academics are] a hard balance, but especially with fencing; sometimes, we have late [starting] practices, [so] I can get work done beforehand ... I suggest that during weekends, set some time aside to do schoolwork, so then on weekdays, you don't have as much work to do and aren't overwhelmed when you don't have free time."
TLDR: Do more work on weekdays.
-TARA ESPOSITO '24 (FENCING)
“Last year, I did three sports. This year I’m only doing two, but I still have a lot of matches and tournaments that require me to miss classes, and a lot of times they’re important classes ... One day, we had to miss the entire day of school for a [tennis] tournament, and there was a lot of work to make up for that, but honestly, if you want to make it through the sports season, you need to plan ahead and get what you can done whenever you have the opportunity.”
TLDR: Plan ahead and get as much done as possible whenever there is the opportunity.
- ANNA THOMPSON '25 (TENNIS, BASKETBALL)
"There's definitely a tough balance between trying to make sure you get all your work done while also having energy for games. You gotta make sure you get all your work done beforehand, put the time in [your work]. You can't procrastinate, because if you do, you're gonna be behind ... you should try to be at most of the sports' practices and games, but if you really need to take time off for work, you should. In my opinion, sports shouldn't take priority over academics."
TLDR: Don't procrastinate, and take time off of your sport if you feel overwhelmed.
-RJ MCFADDEN '24 (SOCCER, FENCING)
"You have to understand that by playing a sport, you have to give more effort into your work. You're using your time to pursue a sport, so you [have to] own up to it. Learn how to use small chunks of time to your advantage. For example, people go on TikTok or Snapchat for 5 to 10 minutes, but at that same time you could be doing a couple math problems or finishing your Chinese homework. And make sure you rotate which pieces of homework you do every 15 or 20 minutes so that you stay focused."
TLDR: Learn how to make the most of small chunks of time.
-MAXWELL WANG '25 (FENCING)
Photo credits: Cover photo by Esha Patel. Background photo by Dinah Megibow-Taylor. Athlete solo images by WordsWorth 2022.