Senior Geeta Arekapudi at choir practice. Photo taken by CeCe Lipman.
As the Winter sports season comes to an end, many student-athletes find more freedom and leisure time during the week. From sports, to school, to social lives and other extracurricular activities, it can be difficult to manage time and prioritize the most important things in high school. Geetanjali Arekapudi ‘24 is an academically involved student-athlete and over the years has learned how to manage her time efficiently.
Arekapudi actively participates in numerous extracurricular activities as well as club sports. Along with being a team captain of the South Salem High School’s swim team, she also partakes in club swim, symphony, orchestra, TV production, Chess club, Asian club, National Honor Society and two choirs.
“Honestly I have never felt overwhelmed by my extracurriculars. Every single thing that I am a part of, I want to be there participating and it never feels like a chore. I have been lucky to have minimal scheduling conflicts but when I do, my teachers and coaches have been very supportive and helpful,
Arekapudi said.
Communication is Key
As for advice to athletes who struggle with time management, Arekapudi’s biggest piece of advice is to communicate with teachers and coaches. Many educators, as well as coaches at South, are very accommodating with late work and any other modifications. Arekapudi’s motivation and endurance with all of her activities show that other students can maintain good grades and stay in shape for sports and other activities. In addition to healthy communication, prioritizing school work over leisure time is also important. Social media, television and other technology can be very distracting, but it is important to complete homework or other assignments before free time.
“Swimming has always been my biggest priority since freshman year, no doubt about it. Following that, it has been keeping my grades up and picking the music I need to work on the most.
Arekapudi said.
The Good in Sports Participation in High School
Overall, doing sports and extracurricular activities in high school can set a student up for success later in life. As well as having good habits like having a substantial schedule and good communication skills, having these experiences early in adolescence can help with making friends, and building teamwork skills and perseverance.
