AI Answer
It sounds like you've developed some great strategies for balancing your academic and softball commitments. Using a calendar and starting tasks early is a smart approach. You also mentioned the importance of finding a balance between softball and regular life, which can be challenging. Understanding that balance is possible and prioritizing staying ahead and staying on schedule is crucial. It's also great to hear that you're focusing on giving your best effort and fueling yourself properly for peak performance. Taking advantage of academic resources, like tutors, and considering both athletic and academic aspects when choosing a college are excellent ideas. Changing your mentality to focus on the process, rather than just the outcome, is a really valuable mindset shift. It's clear that you're dedicated to both your sport and your academic success. Keep striving for that balance and continue giving your all to both areas of your life.

Lauren Derkowski | Michigan Softball

So the more that you're able to learn from it and grow from it , the better that you can be when training and when trying to reach those goals that you have for yourself . I balance my academics with my softball schedule by keeping a really good calendar and making sure that I'm on top of things and getting things started really early for me . I go to office hours all the time and meet with my teachers to make sure that I'm doing well in the class and getting any help that I need .

Lauren Derkowski | Michigan Softball

So making sure that I'm fueling myself well enough to perform at the best of my ability . Some of the challenges that I've had to face was finding a balance between softball and regular life outside of it . Um , and understanding that you're able to have that balance , they'll be at your best finding that was really , really important for me , especially when I came to college where athletics is so much a big part of your life .

Lauren Derkowski | Michigan Softball

Some of the challenges that I've had to face was finding a balance between softball and regular life outside of it . Um , and understanding that you're able to have that balance , they'll be at your best finding that was really , really important for me , especially when I came to college where athletics is so much a big part of your life . So coming here and being able to separate softball in school and social life has been something really key to me that I feel has helped me just be successful and be where I am today .

Lauren Derkowski | Michigan Softball

I know at the University of Michigan , we also have really good academic resources that can help you find a balance that can help with tutors and just keep you on the right track . And I think that's something that's really , really helped me out is staying ahead , staying on schedule and making sure I know what's going on and what my weekly plan is if I can give my yourself a little bit of advice . It would be to not put so much pressure on yourself and just take it day by day , learn from the past , learn from your mistakes and grow from it , especially in softball where things don't always go your way .

Lauren Derkowski | Michigan Softball

It would be to not put so much pressure on yourself and just take it day by day , learn from the past , learn from your mistakes and grow from it , especially in softball where things don't always go your way . And once you understand that you're really able to have a different perspective on the sport and your position , just putting your best foot forward and giving 100% of what you have that day is a piece of advice that I would definitely give myself .