Stressed About School? Time for a Gym Break

Image credit: Dan Qiu for The Campus Trainer

College is tough to handle in terms of time management. Before quarantine started and everyone was forced to stay home all day, people who worked out regularly had to balance their fitness schedules with schoolwork, jobs and other activities. Though balancing these things might sound challenging to a lot of people, many students at the University of Maryland have figured out an efficient way to get their work done and accomplish their workout goals. Even with current circumstances having students taking online classes, balancing is still essential despite not having to run between buildings all day long.

We interviewed some students before school closed due to the pandemic. They shared their views on balancing schoolwork with jobs and their fitness goals.

“I tend to plan out when I study based on when I work out rather than the other way around,” Scott Macchia, a senior computer science major who is taking five classes this semester, said.

“I only have class on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so I work out Monday, Wednesday, Friday. I also work out first thing in the morning – even when I have a lot of homework – so that I can’t skip the workout later in the day,” Macchia said.

Macchia said that he started training seriously and consistently last fall. Since then, lifting has been an important part of his life, and he said his physical strength has been improving significantly.

“All of my fitness goals revolve around hitting certain benchmarks on bench, [overhead press], squat and deadlift. I just want to become as strong as possible,” Macchia said.

Macchia said his deadlift number has increased from 245 pounds to 325 pounds in the past half year, and his weight for squats has gone from 135 pounds to 235 pounds. His weights used for other exercises have seen double digit improvements as well.

Working can be another major challenge to students who want to exercise consistently. Alex Stovall, a sophomore aerospace engineering major, has to balance his lifting schedule with not only schoolwork but also his job.

“I work like 15 hours a week. Sometimes I have too much work and have to skip the gym but I make it up on Saturday or Sunday,” Stovall said.

Stovall said he aims to work out four days a week, with each session being one and a half to two hours long. However, this goal is not always accomplished.

“Certain weeks with exams or projects impact sleep, which impacts gains and the strength and ability to workout,” Stovall said.

There are also some people who do not find balancing school and fitness difficult. Instead, they see exercise as an energy boost.

“Very rarely [do I find school works interrupt workout schedule.] I still always try to fit it in because it helps with productivity,” Matthew Stralka, a sophomore mechanical engineering major, said.

Stralka said that this semester, he usually works out five times a week. He is taking 16 credits this semester.

“[It gives me more] energy, makes me feel better, helps to keep me focused and in a routine,” Stralka said.

These days, everybody stays inside most of the day. However, online classes and homework are still going to be time consuming. Motivating yourself to workout at home while getting schoolwork done can be challenging.But the essence of time management stays the same. Maybe these students’ experiences can give you some ideas of how to stay motivated and be efficient with balancing schoolwork and exercise during quarantine.