A Balancing Act – Studying and Rowing

With the season progressing at an alarming rate- academic work is coming thick and fast, the winter push is one of the toughest times of the year for those rowers that are in full time education. There are university exams and A-Level mocks that plague the Christmas period, sandwiched between trials in November and February, and squads are just beginning to find their stride with training and racing. For many, it’s a balancing act and a struggle to choose whether rowing should take priority over academia. Unlike many other sports, rowing is demanding on both body and time, with upwards of 10 sessions a week for those looking to be competitive. When standards are high across the board, something usually has to give, be it rowing, work, or the person. 

At school programmes, it may seem a lot easier to balance studies with sport, training is based around the school day and games afternoons allow for water sessions before the night creeps in at 4pm. School gyms and close boathouses minimise travel and allow for more effective use of time. The majority of organisation and logistical planning is undertaken by staff, meaning students can focus studies and don’t have to stress about booking hotels or submitting entries. This almost directly contrasts university clubs, where lectures regularly finish at 5pm and deadlines can pile up towards the end of the semester. Crew sessions are saved for early mornings or the weekends, too many of which could leave a strain on the athletes grasp on reality.  Many senior club members will be sitting exams in January that contribute heavily toward their final grade, committee members will also be taking the time to organise squads, plan entries and even coach the freshers. 

A large number of athletes will see the time spent training as time that could be utilised for revision and work. At school programmes athletes may be out of the house from 7am until 6pm when factoring travel, leaving a small amount of downtime. Pairing this with the increased workload around the exam period paints a stark picture for parents and athletes alike. However, what the sport gives is a strict timetable and discipline that can be worked around. It is so easy to return home from school at 4pm and do nothing for hours until the guilt sets in and you start working at 8pm, rowing takes away that option to an extent. Whereas at universities, many students have time off during the day, the early morning trainings take away the opportunity of lying in until midday. In the morning that could have easily been spent drooling on to the pillow are now spent in the library, or more likely a coffee shop with better wifi. Having training spaced out in the day also allows for breaks, white mind being taken off the stresses of work and a release of endorphins through sport to allow for improvement not stagnation.

One of the most overlooked aspects of school and university rowing clubs is that it is a club. Unlike school football teams that are often confined to a year group, the rowing club spans year 8 or 9 through to year 13 and offer strong alumni connections. In universities there are freshers who may have never studied their subject previously and PhD students who are experts on their field. These connections allow for the sharing of knowledge and resources, as well as giving revision tips. In many clubs there are projects that have been passed through year to year and note books filled with numerous previous members handwriting all giving advice to younger members. 

Teachers are integral to the running of school boat clubs and are fully aware of the challenges that are faced by the students when balancing their studies with extra curricular activities. Commonly these teachers will allow concessions as some time off or reduced training loads around the exam season for younger students; but by the time students reach senior squads it is expected that they are able to manage their own time. Concessions can be made however, for example in previous years, some have sat exams the same day as their Henley Royal Regatta heats and had to change their exam centre to Shiplake College. University committees are commonly student led and many allow for time off before exams and are understanding of when deadlines and reading weeks are, giving athletes slack when they need, within reason. Clubs, however, run differently. Being based off volunteers and part time coaches, with juniors from a number of schools, it may be difficult for continuity across all athletes and clubs may not have the ability to cater for all. 

In all, balancing studies with rowing can provide its challenges but if managed correctly may actually benefit results in both. The discipline gained through rowing and the rigorous timetable can teach effective time management skills and be beneficial with the understanding of the coaching team and help from the other club members. The release from work through training is also refreshing during long hours of study, allowing the mind to reset and the athlete to be in a better mood and ready to go back to studying fresher than ever.

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Harry Perry

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