We’re here with Elias Payne, a freshman at Saugus High School, to ask him about how he manages a sport, academics, and his social life. He moved here from Sweden last year and came to Arroyo Seco Junior High as a student. He continued his tennis career from Sweden to America. Today we asked him about his passion and love for his sport and what he plans to do with his skill in the future.
When we spoke to him, we inquired about what sport he plays, and he responded, “I play tennis for the JV team at Saugus High School.” When asked how teamwork and sportsmanship impact his skill he explained, “Yes, my teammates are cool and helpful. They give me lots of advice and we all improve each other’s skills. I always try to make sure to give constructive criticism to my team.” When asked about his coaches and teammates and how they affect his tennis experience, he replied, “The coach for JV is super nice and friendly. He’s really good at teaching and showing us how to correct our mistakes. Both of the coaches were very welcoming during the summer camp and tryouts and I know I can always ask them questions. I know some coaches can be impatient when it comes to correcting their students, but my coaches don’t mind and actually encourage asking questions. They appreciate our desire to get better and improve our technique.” When questioned if he would recommend playing a sport in high school he said, “It really depends if it’s a sport you enjoy, but it also looks great in college applications. Sports definitely take up a lot more time and we leave school later than students that aren’t in athletics, but it’s worth it. The training we do keeps me in shape and encourages me to have a better mentality when it comes to things outside of sports like schoolwork. You definitely need to have a passion for the sport in order to have the motivation to play and practice every day after school. It takes a lot of work, effort, and commitment. High school sports really test your spirit to see if you’re prepared to put in the work.” We inquired about balancing school work while playing a sport, and he gave us some insight on the subject. “The homework load in all of my classes really isn’t that bad so it’s easy. The only class I really have homework in is Spanish. On days where I have a lot of homework, I do have to stay up later to finish it all after practice. I considered the workload when I tried out for tennis, but I decided it was worth it.”
After speaking to Elias, it’s clear that committing to a sport while being a student can be tough. But, with time management and balance, it can be extremely enjoyable and beneficial. Procrastination is a big habit among students, but if you’re considering a sport, procrastination is your worst enemy. Knowing how to prioritize assignments, study, practice, and a social life is an underrated skill. Having a social life outside of school and sports can prove to be difficult because of how time-consuming being an athlete is, but when you prioritize the things that are important and get them done early, you’ll find that handling a social life will get easier. Sports are time-consuming, but they teach you how to have teamwork, leadership, responsibility, and commitment.
It’s been so nice getting to know a fellow peer on campus and seeing student life through his eyes. You can always learn so much from others’ experiences and perspectives. We can’t wait to see Elias succeed in his academic and athletic endeavors.
