Time management is a skill every student athlete needs to have a good concept of–especially if you're in college. Former athlete, anc current graduate student Carlos Carrera has this skill down pat and is now grinding as an assistant coach of Columbia University's women's tennis team. His schedule as an assistant coach and grad student is just as busy if not more busy than that of an athlete. 

6:00 AM – 6:45 AM

Carlos starts off his day getting out of bed, brushing his teeth and taking a shower.Then he moves onto breakfast which varies for him depending on the day. Once he has finished breakfast, Carlos heads out to go coach tennis lessons 

7:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Right when 7:00 AM hits, Carlos starts his tennis lessons, and this isn't the only time he will be around tennis all day. It is just the beginning for him. Between lessons when he can, Carlos will study for grad school and do any homework he has.

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11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

This time block is the least strenuous for Carlos. Why? He's giving individual lessons for anyone on his team who is able to make it. Carlos loves making his team better so that they can compete at a higher level. In between lessons, Carlos does his best to find a quick meal before his team practice at 12:00 PM

12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Now comes the team practice. During this time block, Carlos assists the head coach and the players to help them get better and ready to compete for their matches. Right after practice, Carlos will try to find time to grab a small meal if he doesn't have time earlier in the day.

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Just like the time between 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM, Carlos is giving tennis lessons during his breaks. He strives to make everyone that comes to him for lessons a better player. Once Carlos is done giving lessons, he heads back home to get ready for grad school. 

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6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

For Carlos's last long time block of the day, he is in grad school. During his online classes, Carlos finds time to have dinner, participate in class, and do work for his class when he is able. Carlos is the definition of grinding with this schedule and he usually goes to bed a little after class to get his long day going again.

What's a day in your life like? Share your Daily Grind at [email protected]

* Originally published on October 19, 2022, by Brendan Duffy