As an Irish dancer, managing the demands of school, dance, and training can feel overwhelming. Between class schedules, practices, competitions, and keeping up with assignments, finding balance can seem like a daunting task. But with the right strategies in place, it’s possible to excel in all areas without burning out.
In this blog, we’ll share five top tips to help you stay organized, manage your time more effectively, and ensure that you’re making the most out of your schoolwork, training, and dance practice. These actionable steps will not only keep you on track but also help you thrive both on stage and in life.
5 Top Tips for Balancing School, Dance & Training
Get it out of your head
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the amount of things you need to do when they’re floating around in your head. Writing everything down can help you understand what you need to complete in a given time frame. Sometimes, once you write it all down, you realize you don’t have as much to do as you thought. Plus, checking things off a to-do list gives you a great sense of accomplishment for finishing a task!
Prioritize
If you have assignments due Tuesday and Wednesday but a test Friday, DO what’s DUE first! In training, if you’re consistently getting “posture” comments but not as many “turnout” comments, prioritize your upper body during practice and training sessions. This isn’t to say you shouldn’t work on your turnout at all, or completely ignore your upcoming Friday test, but completing tasks based on their urgency can help reduce your stress about completing them at all.
Be Efficient
Wasting time during homework or training sessions is, well, a waste of time. A concentrated, tough half hour practice is always better than a longer practice with more breaks or no clear goals. The same goes for studying. Don’t spend time you said you would do homework sitting on your phone with your book open. Use the time you set aside for dancing or homework wisely and you might find you’ll get more done than you thought you could!
Make a Weekly Plan
Every Sunday I sit down and plot out what my week will look like. I start by plotting out what I call the “non-negotiables” first. These are items that are absolutely necessary - sleep, school/work/homework, family commitments, rest days. Next plot in dance classes or extracurriculars including your commute time. Then add home practice or training, time with friends, free time, off days, etc.
Be Honest with Yourself
It's important to take a step back and be honest with yourself when managing your commitments. While it's exciting to be involved in dance, band, cross country, debate team, musicals, and more, sometimes we need to make tough choices. If you’re feeling stretched too thin, it may be time to prioritize what truly matters to you. By focusing on the activities that bring you the most joy and align with your goals, you’ll avoid burnout and create more balance in your life. Remember, quality over quantity will help you thrive!
HAPPY TRAINING!
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