Tips for Managing School & Riding – Advice from a 4.0 Student & Varsity Equestrian
School, no matter what the grade or degree, can be draining; draining of energy, time, passion, and even emotion. Granted, I am only a senior in high school, but having achieved a 4.94 GPA during my first semester of my senior year, I still feel like I have some good advice. Now, before you think of me as some nose-in-the-books geek, I do not find myself in my school work. I am a C-2 H-B Pony Clubber, involved in multiple clubs, currently in the middle of college applications, with a YouTube channel, and I somehow found the time to make this blog. I will say this, school is what you make of it. Right now, I am not here to tell you how I maintain my straight A’s in AP classes, rather how I manage my time, energy, and emotion while I ride and study.
- Find your priorities
Okay well, duh, Madison. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know you’re here because riding and school probably are two of your biggest priorities. But within school and riding, what are your priorities?
For me, my biggest priorities are the classes I do not excel in. If I have one hour to study and I have a 97% in math and a 92% in english, I am going to work on english. At the end of the day if my math grade drops to a 95%, it really doesn’t matter all that much because both a 97% and 95% show as an A in the gradebook!
Fact of the matter is, you cannot do it all. While I wish I had the time to study for my H-A certification, I don’t. I decided last fall that would have to fall on the back burner for now. Luckily, there is nothing wrong with having your priorities fluctuate!
2. Remember your commitments
As sad as it is that I have to say this, your horse is a living animal and deserves your love, time, and attention. It is hard for me to admit that this sport burns me out sometimes, but it is the truth. There is nothing wrong with giving you and your horse a break, but at the end of the day you made a commitment to that amazing creature the day you bought him, started leasing him, or met him.
Like I said before, it is impossible to do it all. When things get too busy, something has to give. At times like these, your horse deserves you.
3. Plan!
I truly feel that planners and bullet journals are a must for everybody. No matter how old, organized, or busy you are, keeping track of time can be life changing. Writing down my rides and exercises, homework and tests, can help me realize where I can take things out or where I need to find time for things.
For example, if I write out my 5 rides per week, but realize my longest day at the barn is the night before an exam, I might be able to change some things around to switch Penelope’s day off to the night before the exam. Being able to visualize my week day-by-day can be so beneficial!
I truly believe that your will to manage school and riding comes down to your level of commitment. How bad do you want it? How hard will you work to fit it all in? With enough passion and drive, it can be done! I have faith in you!
Xoxo, M(r)adison
radison 