How to Balance School with a Serious Sport

By Thea Krishnaswamy

Hi, I'm Thea Krishnaswamy, and I'm a student-athlete. I take both my academics and tennis very seriously. My goal is to reach a high level in tennis and eventually get into medical school to specialize in sports medicine. Along the way, I’ve been learning a lot about habits, discipline, and responsibility.

Eighth grade was a big shift for me. There were more tests, more homework, and a lot more studying. My typical schedule looked something like this:

• 8:00 AM: School

• 3:00 PM: Home from school

• 4:00–6:00 PM: Tennis

• 7:00–8:00 PM: Shower and dinner

• 8:30–9:45 PM: Homework and studying

• 9:45–10:00 PM: Chill time before bed

This was my routine during the second half of the school year—after I finally figured out how to balance tennis, fitness, and school. Of course, tennis practice times vary, which means I have to stay flexible and adjust my schedule as needed.

Balancing a serious sport with school can be really challenging. There's a lot of pressure—from acing that test to performing well at your next tournament. Both academics and sports are important: one helps prepare you for a career and sharpens your mind, while the other keeps you physically healthy and mentally tough.

One of the biggest challenges is not having enough time to sleep or recover properly, but it's the stress both academics and sports bring. While these problems can’t always be fully solved, the stress can be managed with a few small but powerful habits. Here are some that have helped me:

Master Time Management

Time management is the number one skill to learn. It’s about organizing your day and breaking it into focused blocks—some for schoolwork and others for training, fitness, and recovery. Having a schedule and sticking to it keeps you disciplined and on track. Plus, it’s a skill that will help you for the rest of your life.

Set Priorities and Goals

Some days, you’ll have more homework. Other days, tennis might run longer than expected. That’s when you need to make choices. Sometimes, chill time has to be sacrificed so you can finish your responsibilities. It’s not always fun, but setting clear priorities keeps your mind focused. I often find myself thinking:

“I need to study for my science test, but I also have tennis practice.”

My goal is to grow in both areas—so I make time for both, even if that means I lose 20 minutes of downtime. It’s all about staying committed to what matters most.

Use Academic Tools (No Shame!)

Using support systems like tutors, study groups, and online resources is smart, not embarrassing. It doesn’t mean you're not capable—it means you care about staying ahead. Personally, I work with a tutor to help me clarify concepts and stay ahead of classwork. Your academic goal should be to do more than the minimum whenever you can. If the minimum is 30 minutes of studying and you have an extra 10 minutes, use it! Because there will be days when you won’t have that time, and the effort you put in earlier will pay off.

Do More Than the Minimum

If you aim to do more than the bare minimum now, then on your busiest days, you’ll at least hit that minimum. Think of it as building a buffer. Use your time wisely—it’s your greatest tool as a student-athlete.

Final Rally: It’s All About Balance

Balancing school with a serious sport isn’t easy, but it’s possible—and it’s worth it. Build small habits that support your bigger goals. Whether it’s time management, goal setting, or academic support, find what works for you and stick with it.

As my mom always says:

“Work hard, play hard.”