At dawn, Juan Felipe Robledo trains. After school, Gabriel Ospina hits the field. Meanwhile, Samuel Mendivelso runs COSMUN behind the scenes. These students balance school and passion with determination.

As high school becomes more competitive, students are learning to balance rigorous academic demands with demanding extracurricular pursuits. Their experiences reflect a wider trend: students managing overlapping responsibilities in hopes of staying active, building leadership, and preparing for college—all while staying sane.

“Since I train almost every day, it’s hard for me to balance school and soccer,” Gabriel Ospina, who plays for River Club after school, said. “That’s why I leave most of my homework for the weekends. I try to do as much as I can in school.”

Ospina isn’t alone in this approach. Robledo, who plays for the school’s soccer team, agrees that scheduling is critical. “I train in the mornings, at six,” he said. “So I can’t stay up late. When I get home, I work hard and try to finish everything early. That way, I can sleep and perform well.”

Both students follow strategies echoed in academic research. According to the article “The Ultimate Balancing Act,” students benefit from structured planning systems and prioritizing tasks. Gabriel emphasized the same point: “Using class time is the key. Don’t get distracted by chatting with classmates… just focus and work fast.”

But the road isn’t without sacrifice. Social lives are often the first to go.

“I’ve had to skip sleepovers or plans because of early games,” said Robledo. “But I’ve learned to manage better. When I’m with friends, I try to really enjoy it and still be ready for the next day.”

Ospina has had similar experiences. “Every Friday, I have training. So sometimes I have to cancel plans. It’s a sacrifice you have to make.”

Still, both say the benefits outweigh the stress. Soccer offers more than just exercise—it provides routine, motivation, and even future opportunities.

“I don’t see myself becoming a professional player,” said Ospina. “But I might use my skills to get a scholarship in the U.S. and play college soccer. That’s the goal.”

Juan Felipe views soccer more as a hobby. “It helps with my mental health. I stay physically active and busy. That way, I don’t feel stuck.”

Leadership-focused students face different—but equally intense—challenges. Samuel Mendivelso, the Under Secretary General of COSMUN, is responsible for one of the school’s biggest academic events. From committee planning to logistics, he’s constantly on call.

“Sometimes I have to organize things for the model while also doing homework,” he said. “Last year was hard, but I’ve learned to manage better. I make space for both school and COSMUN.”

His leadership role has taught him more than logistics—it’s taught life skills. “It helps with time management, responsibility, and building strong character for future roles,” he said. “If you work hard, you don’t have to sacrifice one thing for the other.”

But even student leaders feel the weight.

“It’s exhausting,” Mendivelso admitted. “The key is to talk to teammates and support each other. When we collaborate, mental health isn’t as big of an issue.”

Like the athletes, he also encourages efficient planning. “It’s about getting used to it. Once you learn to manage time, you can do anything.”

So what’s the secret ingredient to balancing it all?

For Ospina: “Use your class time. Don’t procrastinate. Catch up on weekends if needed.”

For Robledo: “Use apps like Notion to organize your tasks. Set goals. Get enough rest. Be efficient.”

And for Mendivelso: “Go for the leadership role. It’ll benefit you. Everyone’s there to help—you just have to manage your time.”

Achieving goals and organizing events represent only part of the learning process, which involves developing heart-based hustle while finding order within disorder.