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SEPTEMBER 2017 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM // 29 k Understanding how to manage lengthy school assignments is a challenge you've likely faced. With practice, school and social pressures to juggle, that big project often gets pushed aside. Experiencing a late- night run to the store for supplies and then pulling an all-nighter at the kitchen table is a great way to upset your parents and your teach- ers. But there is a way to avoid it. Hockey is demanding, and if you are committed to both amateur teams and school teams, balancing school and hockey is a big task. In most cases, you aren't avoiding the work; you just need to learn the time management skills to balance it all. Step 1. Get a big desktop calendar and hang it in plain sight. If you prefer a digital calendar app or a datebook with hour slots, those will work as well. Just bear in mind the benefit of the desk- top calendar is its size. If you keep it in plain sight, it trig- gers your memory. Step 2. Sit down and record all of your practice times and game times on the calendar. Don't have your parents do this; you do it. Step 3. After school every day, sit down and record the due dates of any big assign- ments like essays, projects, tests, etc. on the calendar. Step 4. When time permits, look at each assignment. For each one ask yourself, "How long do I think this will take?" Then, look at the commit- ments you have before the due date. Say, "I need X num- ber of hours to complete this. Where can I fit it in?" Step 5: Schedule blocks of time around your commit- ments across several days. Don't squeeze a lot of time into one or two days. You never know what your daily homework load may be. Try to finish a day early if possi- ble. An early completion goal allows you time for any mis- haps that are likely to occur. You can ask your parents for guidance, but don't expect them to plan for you. You need to be accountable for breaking down and com- pleting the work. Developing effective time management skills will help you find success in academics and athletics through high school and college. P –Emily Erson UNDER THE GUN Steps You Can Take To Keep Large School Assignments In Check