College does anyone find it hard to balance college life, college cheer, and all star open?

[beautyy4cheerr]

i was wondering that bc i was thinking of going out for an open team next year but also my schools cheer team and with the school i'm going to i'd have to commute an hour to practice and perform 3 times a week with them since i'd be at a different campus so that's enough of a strain, and the cheer gym i'm interested in is about 2 hours away, next year will be my freshman year of college and i want to still be able to have a life haha and balance school work, so has anyone else run into this kind of problem before? advice?

 

[KRECCheer]

Its all about balance. If you like having a lot on your plate at one time then do it. I took 5 classes each semester, coached cheerleading, cheered for an open team, and still managed free time for myself. Im not going to say it was always easy or fun, but thats how I like to live. Busy is my middle name.
School is important. Get a planner and use it. Schedule time for schoolwork. Use outlines! Knowing what you HAVE to get done and doing it first is important. People always give this advice. It took me a while to figure out that it works! Crying at 2 am when my 10 page paper is due at 9 am is not the way to handle things.
Its not impossible, but being involved with college teams can always take extra free time you may have because of committments to the school. Just factor that in.

 

[retiredl5cheer]

It sounds like you're planning to put A LOT on your plate. Remember that it's a big transition from high school to college to begin with...one that takes a lot of people time to get used to.
As a college cheerleader, I would recommend that you not try to do all of that at one time because college cheer takes up a lot of time with games, performances, appearances and practices. Your college may expect a lot more from you than you think, including random community appearances and events.
Another important thing to know is that it's very easy to let your GPA fall when you're really busy and very hard to get it back up. School is most important so do what you can without letting your schoolwork fall behind.
I personally would recommend you take it slow and do one thing your freshman year. Maybe do only all star open cheer or only college cheer. If you're able to maintain your grades and think you can handle more, add the other team sophomore year.

 

[beautyy4cheerr]

Its all about balance. If you like having a lot on your plate at one time then do it. I took 5 classes each semester, coached cheerleading, cheered for an open team, and still managed free time for myself. Im not going to say it was always easy or fun, but thats how I like to live. Busy is my middle name.
School is important. Get a planner and use it. Schedule time for schoolwork. Use outlines! Knowing what you HAVE to get done and doing it first is important. People always give this advice. It took me a while to figure out that it works! Crying at 2 am when my 10 page paper is due at 9 am is not the way to handle things.
Its not impossible, but being involved with college teams can always take extra free time you may have because of committments to the school. Just factor that in.

but is that kind of thing hard to do freshman year? because i still want to be able to have a social life lol and not fail out or anything, i feel like that kind of thing would be easier to do your an upperclassmen :/

 

[KRECCheer]

Everyone is different. I dont suggest doing it freshman year because you really want to get yourself used to school and being someplace new as well as meet new people. Building new relationships and beginning your career as a student should be the most important priority. However, I did it all four years of school and have no regrets.

 

[WHOA tiger]

Wouldnt have it any other way. I cheered football and basketball for clemson, made mat for Clemson, and was on Killers, and had a social life, while still making good grades.

 

[ALittleBitTwisted]

Wouldnt have it any other way. I cheered football and basketball for clemson, made mat for Clemson, and was on Killers, and had a social life, while still making good grades.

Any advice Tayler?! I am looking into doing all of that too..as well as the Leadership Program at CNU and possibly a sorority second semester. I have always been the "busy" type so I would say I am pretty experienced with time management, but I'm sure it's very different in a college setting.

 

[WHOA tiger]

Any advice Tayler?! I am looking into doing all of that too..as well as the Leadership Program at CNU and possibly a sorority second semester. I have always been the "busy" type so I would say I am pretty experienced with time management, but I'm sure it's very different in a college setting.

Just don't let it overwhelm you. I'm one of those people that can tell my self "it's not a big deal" and it's not. Try to prioritize. I have absolutely horrible time management, and I'm still getting a 4.0 this semester. I was in a sorority my first semester of college, and dropped it because it was too much. They expect you to be the number one priority and it is SUCH time commitment. I just stuck to cherleading and school, and its great!

 

[CheerKatie08]

Any advice Tayler?! I am looking into doing all of that too..as well as the Leadership Program at CNU and possibly a sorority second semester. I have always been the "busy" type so I would say I am pretty experienced with time management, but I'm sure it's very different in a college setting.

I thought it would be possible to handle it all first semester, and I didn't even cheer for school here. let me mind you, if you are in a sorority, you will NOT be cheering...

 

[CollegeCheerGuide]

Hi Everyone!

This is College Cheer Guide with a few suggestions on managing your time....

Invest in a planner!! (Getting your schedule out of you head and schedule time for you to do your homework, work out, all-star, & College practices, games, extra work outs, Work, etc..) and STICK TO IT.

It might be hard, but I would pick 1 place to cheer, probably your college since there is a possibility of a scholarship.

You said that you live a hour away from your school? Why don't you look for a apartment or live on campus?? That will open up being able to have a campus life with the other college sutdents... If you need to work in order to live on campus there are alternatives such as working on campus in exchange for housing.

Why don't you e-mail me ([email protected]) what school you are going to and I will help you see what would make things easier. The most important thing to make sure you get good grades in college and get that degree(s)!

 

[beautyy4cheerr]

thanks everyone ! idk i think im gunna stick to not all star cheering freshman yr and then do it soph yr and beyond, just so i can feel the school out first :/, and hmm sorority, i was thinking of doing that too sometime down the road, didnt realize it was such a commitment :/

 

[ALittleBitTwisted]

I think it is time for me to re-visit this thread! I still have not made a decision..I am definitely doing college cheer, however I have not decided on all star yet. It is a little different for me since my college coach also coaches the all star team. I still need to be able to manage academics, Leadership (lots to do! it's like a separate job & a course), going to work out at least 3x a week, and study hall 3x a week). Also, on monday nights I will be at the gym from 5:30-10 between both practices..=/ Not really sure. I have to think of my health a little too! It will definitely be a huge commitment! As of now, I am definitely leaning more towards doing both since well, I just love cheerleading that much

 

[KRECCheer]

Just make sure you really think about it. If you burn yourself out youre going to be no good for both of your teams. Youll feel not just physically drained, but emotionally as well. Get adjusted to school, leadership, college cheer and then add on all star. You should make sure cheering games and competitions, as well as finals dont interfere with anything All Star related. Its a lot to balance.

 

[XTREMElyfierce]

what gym were you interested in trying out for? if you don't mind me asking.

 

[ALittleBitTwisted]

I am currently trying to manage it all...It was my own decision and now my back is hurt It didn't really work out as I had hoped it would, and now all of a sudden my body is just physically exhausted. I still plan to do both teams once my back gets better. I think I just need to get into the swing of things and get used to the college lifestyle too. It's a big adjustment, but being apart of the college cheer team has been a great transition and I love my team! I think the most difficult part so far is forcing myself to sit down and study etc. luckily for freshman college athletes we are required to go to study hall so that will help! If anything this experience is teaching me a lot of self discipline & responsibility!