Student athletes lead very busy lives, having to juggle practices, classes and social lives. With college life already demanding so much, student athletes are forced to be efficient with their time.
Ray Cebulski, a senior pitcher on the PLNU baseball team and business administration major said, “Seeing exactly where I need to be at certain times allows me to work on assignments or prepare for the next class period. The ability to compartmentalize when practice starts. I’m not thinking about anything related to schoolwork or other things. When I’m doing school work or other responsibilities I’m solely focused on the task at hand. These techniques have helped my mental health. It’s very easy to get overwhelmed when handling the stresses of athletics and academics.”
Cebulski’s Tuesday Schedule:
Lifting Groups: 6:00-8:00 a.m
Finance: 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Economics: 11:00 AM-12:15 p.m.
Marketing: 1:30-3:00 p.m.
Bullpen: 4:15-5:30 p.m.
Cebulski has multiple years of experience in balancing classes and sports, and it’s helped him be successful during his time at PLNU. While earning a 3.42 GPA, he was also one of the team’s most dominant pitchers during their deep playoff run. He pitched in 3 games – 21 innings total – and only allowed 6 runs during that span.
While it can be overwhelming at times, it is clear that by focusing on one thing at a time, he found success at PLNU. Cebulski has created a plan that works for him. Plans are very beneficial to creating a life filled with great achievements, and can be super important to staying on top of things throughout college.
Keoni Young, a freshman graphic design marketing major on PLNU’s soccer team said, “I balance my sports and school life by getting my homework done as soon as possible along with focusing on my craft on the field. I also make sure to find time to train during the day and have to fit it in with my classes and other team practice schedule.”
By staying on top of his homework, and making a specific schedule, he’s created a roadmap to thrive as he begins his first season here at PLNU. Young recognizes that his responsibilities of soccer and academics need to be addressed with a solid plan. He has prioritized his academics, while also scheduling out specific time for his soccer practice. This allows him to do well in the classroom and to harness his craft to perform well on the soccer field.
Young and Cebulski have different strategies for completing their goals, but they’re both looking to be top of their classes and be at the top of their game on the field.
Grace Moyers, a junior psychology major and University of Wyoming transfer on the PLNU women’s basketball team, said, “As a student athlete, I am gifted with a great privilege but it’s also a huge responsibility. Athletics, academic and social life are just part of our many responsibilities. In order to be successful, enjoy the process and not live in a state of constant stress, I start early on almost everything so that I have time for the things that bring me joy. I have always operated by the saying, ‘failure to plan is planning to fail.’ It’s an incredibly busy but also rewarding life.”
Grace Moyers, guard for PLNU women’s basketball team. Courtesy of PLNU athletics
Grace Moyers is leading a very busy life, but she has managed to keep herself motivated and create a way for herself to do well. She has shown that finding ways to maintain her joy even in the midst of her loaded day to day life is incredibly important.
She has focused on making good decisions and she starts her work as soon as possible, to find time for things that she loves.
Grace Moyers’ Monday Schedule:
Practice: 6:30-8:30 a.m.
Team Devotional: 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Chapel: 9:45-10:30 a.m.
Research Methods: 10:55-11:50 a.m.
History: 12:15-1:10 p.m.
Spanish 1: 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Student athletes all handle their loaded schedules differently, but they each have plans that can help lead to success on and off the field. These athletes have many different practices, whether it’s focusing on one task at a time, planning ahead, creating a clear schedule, or making sure to enjoy the process.
Cade Michaelson 
Steve Anderson