The best tool a college athlete can have is time management skills. After all, most of their day is taken up by something, whether it's practice, class, or a game, so it's essential that they know their schedule inside and out and take advantage of their open windows of time. That's why we sat down with Marrone Suzuki, a sophomore midfielder at the University of San Diego, and asked her how she manages the many tasks of her day.
Whether you're a soccer player or not, things like weights, practice, classes, and study time are universal in the college athlete experience and it's worth hearing how one is able to navigate throughout her day successfully. Here's how Marrone gets it all done.
Related: Rate the University of San Diego
7:00-7:30 AM
Marrone will wake up and eat breakfast before heading over to the athletic facility. She currently lives on campus so it's not too much of a trek. She usually tries to eat light, something like yogurt and nuts, so she's fueled but doesn't feel too full at practice.
7:30-9:30 AM
This is practice time for Marrone. Practices usually consist of footwork and fundamental drills to start, and end with situational drills and a scrimmage. Her coach may switch things up depending on the day, but this is pretty much her day-to-day practice routine.
9:40-10:40 AM
Right after practice, she rushes over to weights. This is where she is able to improve herself as a complete athlete. She might have a protein shake or bar afterwards but doesn't force herself to if she can wait for a full meal.
Related: The 6 Best Foods for Muscle Recovery
10:40-11:15 AM
Marrone gets back to her dorm, showers, and prepares for her day. She really only spends fifteen to twenty minutes at her dorm before she goes to her first class.
11:15 AM-2:20 PM
Marrone goes to her classes. She tries to fit in a study session or snack at the coffee shop on campus in-between classes, but during this time she is pretty much on the go.
2:20-5:00 PM
Marrone sets up her day so she has a window of a few hours in the middle of the day. She uses this time to maybe get an extra footwork session on the field, go to the training room for treatment, do homework, or just run errands. She says this is a must-have part of her day.
5:00PM-7:00PM
Marrone has a few more classes in the evening. Because it's later on in the day, she usually brings a snack to eat in-between classes during this time.
Related: Rate your Coaches, Facilities, and Campus Visits
7:00PM-11:00PM
She uses this time to get most of her essential needs done, whether that's finishing her homework, studying, shopping, or something else, and tries to fit in time with friends there too. She tries to wind down by watching something on Netflix before going to bed to rest up for the busy schedule the next day.
Image Credit: USD Athletics
What's a day in your life like? Share your Daily Grind at [email protected]
* Originally published on September 7, 2022, by Isaac Haney
