Participating in a competitive sport while in college isn’t easy. You have to attend classes like other students and keep up with practice and competitions. You'll need to adhere to a strict schedule and be very focused to balance everything.  And you still need to make time for your social life.

Fortunately, you can position yourself for academic excellence and triumph as a student athlete with proper time management skills. Below are some tips student athletes can use to lead a fulfilling college life.

1. Manage Your Time Properly

Juggling between studies and sports means you have less time than a majority of your classmates. To keep up with coursework and still attend training sessions, you have to treat college as a full-time job. Schedule every minute of your day, whether it’s time for resting or engaging in other hobbies. Below are a few tips you can use to manage your time well.

• Get a notebook planner and write down your class schedule, study time, and assignment due dates.
• Allot time for training, studying, and other vital obligations. Make use of any free time during the day to do your classwork so you can relax at night.
• Mark exam and test dates on your room's whiteboard as a reminder.

2. Stay Close to Your Professors

Try to forge a relationship with your professors by introducing yourself to them when you start attending their classes. Most professors are very understanding and may be willing to help you out once they know the nature of your schedule. After class, you can always visit their offices for individualized instructions and ask many questions to keep up with the course content.

Note that the professor will only be lenient towards your demanding schedule if you show some commitment and respect. When you can’t attend class, tell the professor in advance.

3. Set and Stick to Your Schedule

Setting yourself up for academic and athletic success requires that you follow a strict schedule. Include all your obligations in your schedule--such as study time, class time, training, homework, and group projects.

Set your alarm so you can start your day early and go to bed early and get enough sleep every day. It may take some time to learn and stick to new habits, but once you integrate them into your daily lifestyle, you won’t get overwhelmed.

4. Seek Help When You Need It

The National Collegiate Athletic Association works hard to support and protect student athletes in many ways, but excelling in college remains an individual’s responsibility. Some student athletes find balancing the two activities overwhelming.

For example, you may be broke because you don’t have time to take on a part-time job. In such a case, a car loan can help, especially when you need money urgently. You can type "car title loans near me"  to access lenders near you. 

You may also need help with homework, especially for tough subjects. Homework help sites offer textbooks and even provide access to online tutors. When you’re studying and also trying to become a pro athlete, it's natural to need assistance.