To gauge a deeper understanding of how an IB student would go about successfully maintaining their academic as well as athletic life, the IB Newspaper interviewed a student who is currently doing exactly that. Junior Gabi Pedrazzani is a member of the WPHS softball team (which is currently undefeated), as well as a successful IB student. When asked how in the world she accomplishes this, Gabi responded that efficiency is a priority. “When I do my work, I like to separate my time into intervals. I’ll do a pattern of focused work for 30 minutes, take a break, and then repeat it”, she said. She stated that this was a helpful studying method for her “because during the time [she’s] working [she is] completely undistracted”.

 

Gabi does her work around her sports schedule, as she is aware of it ahead of time and is able to organize herself and her homework according to it. According to her, it’s also very important to love the sport you’re playing, otherwise the whole process will be much less enjoyable. “When I’m playing and practicing it doesn’t feel like a chore and it’s fun, which makes it that much easier to do work afterwards”, she said. Gabi loves playing softball, but also wants to achieve her academic goals; this makes it much easier to find a balance because both things are very important to her.

 

Although Gabi doesn’t struggle with balancing her academic life with her athletic one, she knows that if she hadn’t played softball in high school she would have completely regretted it. “My advice to others is to absolutely go for it and try to play a sport. If it becomes too much for you, there’s always the option of talking to your teachers and coaches or choosing not to participate in the next season.” Gabi’s philosophy is that it’s better to regret the opportunities you took rather than the ones you didn’t take. So, go big or go home and seize that opportunity to do something you love!