The Effect Of Wrestling On Time Management Skills- By Nick Hwang

It feels as if it were only last week that I was in school taking my finals at the end of my freshman year. Now, here it is four weeks into my sophomore year and I still don’t feel fully acclimated, whether it be procrastinating work or almost forgetting about homework that is due. It is only recently that I have been getting into after school activities, including lifting and captain’s practices for wrestling. Simultaneously, the quantity of work I have been receiving is starting to spike, giving me less time to procrastinate. Because of this decrease in free time, I am forced to budget my time better, usually getting my homework or studying done as soon as I get home.
Consequently, during the wrestling season, when the amount of free time I have is at its lowest, my grades have had a trend of being highest. Wrestling, being a very physically and mentally draining sport, makes me appreciate and crave sleep much more than I do during the summer. On the days of some away matches, I will not get home until around nine o’clock, and by this time I already want to go to bed. To make sure I can sleep as soon as I get home, I often go to great lengths to get my homework done, whether it be going to the library during lunch, working on the bus, or even doing some work after weigh-ins.
By managing my time better and getting to sleep earlier, I often find myself much more awake and energetic during the first few periods of school. This increase in sleep also allows my brain to function better, which has a positive affect on my attentiveness and my ability to learn. As a result of this, I usually have an easier time understanding concepts, so when it comes time for a quiz or test, I am usually better prepared. It is because of my limited free time during the wrestling season that I am able to have better time management, better sleep, and better grades.