Cheerleading and studies: how to balance sport and school 📚🤸 (S1.16)
- janie724
- Jul 2
- 2 min read
Episode of April 30, 2024
Cheerleading is a demanding sport that requires a lot of energy, time, and commitment. Yet, for young athletes and their parents, the big question often remains: how can you successfully balance cheerleading and academics without giving up everything?
In this episode of the Kick's Cheer Podcast, several experiences and tips are shared to better manage this double life.
Why shouldn't you stop cheering because of your studies?
Many parents sometimes think that for their child to succeed in school, they must stop playing sports. However, quitting cheerleading, or any sport, isn't the best solution. On the contrary, sports can be a significant source of motivation and help children better manage academic stress.
The episode explains that often, giving up sports is more a parental decision, related to scheduling constraints, transportation, or fatigue, than a true choice by the athlete. This is why it's important to explore all alternatives before deciding to quit.
Simple solutions to continue both.
Here are some tips shared in the podcast to help you maintain a good balance:
Choose a team close to the school to avoid long commutes.
Reduce training volume temporarily by moving to a less intense or recreational level.
Get organized with a family diary and a clear calendar so you don't forget anything and plan your studies and sports.
Communicate as a family about priorities and adjust them according to the time of year (exams, competitions, etc.).
It is important to be flexible and look for the best options rather than quitting right away.
Sport, a driving force for academic success
Several testimonials in the episode demonstrate that even with an intense sports program, it's possible to maintain good grades through discipline and organization. Sports provide the rigor and motivation that help you succeed in school.
For young people, practicing a sport like cheerleading can therefore be a positive motivation, in addition to providing skills such as time management, perseverance and team spirit.
The essential role of parents
Parents play a key role in supporting their children. The podcast reminds us that they must guide their athletes in time management and solution-finding, especially when family life changes (job changes, a baby arrives, a move, etc.).
It is also important for parents to understand that academic success does not necessarily mean stopping sports, but rather finding a balance between the two.
Conclusion: never give up.
The episode ends with a powerful message: quitting cheerleading should be the very last resort, only after trying several alternatives. Sports are a vehicle for success and well-being, and it is possible to combine academics and cheer with a little organization and communication.
If you're a parent or athlete, don't hesitate to listen to this episode to discover lots of tips and inspiring stories that can help you better manage the cheer & study duo!
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