By Hope Watt, Featured Performer from Melbourne High School
In addition to being the captain of her Colorguard, Hope is a dual enrollment student who will graduate with both her AA and high school diploma this spring.
There are many of us who have lots of responsibilities and love colorguard. With these responsibilities, it can be hard to handle and can be very stressful at times. But there are things we can do to help this weight on our shoulders and there are things that our parents/coaches can help with too.
One big thing you need to have with so many responsibilities is time management. Managing everything you need to do in a week with efficiency. To get better at this I would recommend getting a planner. This helps me spread everything out so I am not as stressed and can get everything done.
Another thing that most people do not really think about is that your mental health is important. It is important to set time aside for yourself or something that you love that will keep you sane. For example, you have a ton of math to finish today. You are working hard for hours. So take a break, watch one episode of your favorite show.
When things get really stressful and you are feeling like giving up, just remember why you are doing this. For me I think, I need to get this school work done to graduate with a good gpa. I need to go to work and make money to save for college. I need to get this choreography down so I don’t break in the show. Just remember why you are doing this and focus your energy towards that.
To get some more perspective on things I interviewed a fellow FFCC Featured Performer Syndi Leon.
- What do you do to make sure you get everything done on time?
I find it EXTREMELY helpful to have a planner! I started using a planner in 2019 and ever since then it has allowed me to see all my assignments upcoming due dates, colorguard/ dance practice, work schedule, and other special events. Using a planner is beneficial because it helps with time management and I can visually see what I need to do in the upcoming days. I also try to work on things like 2-3 days in advanced so that I not cramping everything in one day.
- What do you do to make sure you are staying sane during all of it?
Like everyone else, I do sometimes get stressed out and have a small meltdowns, but I feel that is just how I am. I like to make sure I am prepared for everything and it stresses me out if I don’t know exactly what’s to come. So to help keep me sane I find it helpful joting down a to do list. By writing down what’s the most important to least important will allow me to visually see what I need to do first. And after I write down my task I feel a bit better just knowing what I need to do, and I feel relieved when I can finally check off the task.
- What could your parents do to help?
My parents always remind me that I am doing a great job and they continue to encourage me to keep pushing forward. They remind me to focus on what’s happening now instead of stressing over the unpredictable future.
- What did your coach or coaches do help?
My coach is super understanding of how busy my schedule can be. She is always willing to give some great time management and organization tips. Which I feel has helped me tremendously get to where I am now.
I hope that this information can help anyone out there who deals with many responsibilities and I wish everyone the best of luck this season.