Balancing school and horses is a challenging task for all ages, whether that be middle school, high school, college or online. Keeping up with homework and studying is very time consuming, so add the responsibility of horses, and you will find yourself in a stressful situation that most school attending equestrians face daily.
To resolve this issue, there are many simple tasks you can do to utilize your time wisely to ensure success in the classroom and the arena.
Here are a few easy ideas of how you can balance your horse and your GPA.
1. Utilize free time at horse shows
One of the most common phrases you will hear at a horse show is “hurry up and wait” when you are getting ready for your classes. Start utilizing the “wait” time to read a few more pages in your textbook or to complete a couple more math problems. Although you may not finish all of your homework during this time, you will still have less to do later on. You do not want to be up late doing assignments when you know you have to wake up at 5:30 to longe, so every page and problem you complete will be worthwhile.
2. Communicate with your teachers before, during and after shows
Let your teachers know what days you will be missing for a show at least a week in advance. This will give them time to review the lesson plan that you will be missing and give you the work you need. While you are at the show, be sure to turn in any online submissions that are due or email your teacher any work you completed to make their life easier. Your first days back to school must be spent keeping up with your current homework and turning in your late work. These days are usually the most stressful because of the balance of old and new homework, tests and projects, so having your absent work completed will make these days a whole lot easier.
3. Research what amenities will be provided at the show
Before you leave, check if the show will have a classroom or Wi-Fi available. It is essential to know what your source of the internet will be ahead of time in case you have to turn in an essay or take a quiz online. At Congress, the Ohio Quarter Horse Association sets up a classroom with Wi-Fi, a computer and a printer for students to use. However, not many show managements provide this service at typical weekend shows, so it is up to you to either provide your source of the internet or to be sure the facility offers it.
4. Plan your long-term schedule
When you are picking your shows, make sure you check out your school schedule at the same time. You do not want to send in your check for a show, and then realize that you have finals that same week. If there are foreseeable vital events at school, do not pick to go to a five-day horse show during the same period.
5. Be smart about your free time at home
When you are not at a horse show, be sure you are using your time wisely. If you have a big show approaching, such as the Congress, you will need to be spending more time at the barn. Therefore, you need to be using your time efficiently during the school day, such as in study hall. If there are no horse shows for a while, take a step back from riding so long every day and focus on school. Then, your grades will be strong when it comes time for you to miss a couple of classes.
—
Overall, maintaining your GPA as an equestrian is a difficult task, but one that can be achieved with proper time management at horse shows and home. Your grades are important, but so is all the money invested into your horses, so it is up to you to balance them both to be successful in both worlds.
