Women's water polo player Allie Loomis is the epitome of a student-athlete. The senior was a member of the Anteater teams that advanced to the NCAA Championship in 2015 and 2017 and was awarded the NCAA Elite 90 Award for the student-athlete with the highest grade point average at the championship last year. The business administration major shares some of her best tips for new student-athletes to be successful in the classroom.
 
BRAIN FOOD
1. Sustenance. I always love having a snack or coffee while I study. As my teammates can attest to, having snacks with me after practice and in between class is key for maintaining my focus in class. 

 
SHHHHHHHHHH
2. Study Spot. For me, I have to have it quiet when I am studying. I particularly like studying at Paul Merage because there are a lot of comfortable places to hide out. I also love finding new coffee spots throughout Irvine to study as well. 

 
TICK TOCK
3. Time Management. This is probably the hardest to figure out as a college athlete. Finding the right balance of school, academics, and social activities is hard, but for me grades always come first because that's what leads to being able to succeed in the pool and ultimately to have the time to hang out with friends. 
 
A LIST ABOUT LISTS
4. Make Lists. One thing I like to do is make lists of what I know has to get done before I can take a break. Once I've accomplished certain assignments, then I can have fun with my team. These lists help me prioritize and figure out what must be turned in tomorrow versus what I can progressively work on that will be due in two weeks. 
 
FUELING THE FIRE
5. Nutrition. Eating well is also soo important as an athlete because it helps your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. This carries over to your academic success as a healthy diet gives you more energy and a good foundation for long days of practice and class. 
 
REST & RECOVERY
6. Sleep. Getting a good 8 hours of sleep every night will pay off in the classroom and in your sport. Allowing your body to rest gives you both mental and physical recovery time needed to maintain and succeed in athletics and academics. 
 
SHOULD I HIT THE BOOKS OR THE BEACH
7. Compromise. Everyone struggles with choosing whether to study or hang out with friends. The best advice I can give is knowing when to compromise. You have to know yourself as a student and know whether or not you will be able to get something done within a designated time. If you can look ahead and know you will have another opportunity to go to the beach or go to a movie with your friends or team, choose to study or finish your upcoming assignment. 

 
BRIGHT FUTURE
8. Future Aspirations and Goal Setting. Having goals that you hope to achieve beyond college are also important. To strive for success now is critical for your road ahead. Whether you want to become an elementary school teacher, a nurse practitioner, Olympian, or the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, your academic performance is a major factor in most achieving careers beyond sports. Setting goals, both big and small, has become a huge part of my ability to achieve at a high level. Knowing what I want and understanding the path it will take to get there, has allowed me to thrive and center my focus on specific areas of my academics at UCI. Verbalizing and writing down your goals are two great ways to remind yourself of where you ultimately want to be in life and that the little things, like turning in assignments and doing well on a paper, are what will set you on the path to achieving your passions and future dreams. 
 
REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE
9. Internship Opportunities.  I think this is key regardless of your major or grade level. Having several internship opportunities on your resume before entering the real world is so beneficial. It shows employers that you've put in the effort to try different career paths and that you are also dedicated to working hard. Employers will already be impressed that you were a student-athlete, but to show that you also were able to manage an internship while in college and playing a Division I sport is huge!

 
NEVER A DUMB QUESTION
10. Utilizing Resources. This is the #1 advice I have for all student-athletes, but especially for incoming freshman. Taking advantage of the resources that we are offered as student-athletes is so helpful when transitioning from high school level academics to college. For me, I sought out any opportunity I could to get to know my professor and go to office hours when I had questions or was struggling with an assignment. I utilized the Learning and Academic Resource Center (LARC) program for advanced math and I didn't hesitate to ask for help when I needed it. The transition into college academics is hard and it is ok to struggle in the beginning, but if all 7 or 12 incoming freshmen struggle their first quarter on your team, it will seriously affect your team performance, academic standing, and dynamic. It is so important to ask for help when you need it and know that everyone else on your team has been in your situation before. Go to your upperclassmen, your coaches and the Academic & Student Services staff, like Dedra Butler pictured below and let them know that you need some help or ask if they can point you in the right direction for the guidance you need. 

 
Just remember, you are a student first and an athlete second. And to be a great athlete and a member of your respective Division-I programs, you must maintain a decent academic standing to be eligible. Don't let negative choices affect your collegiate athletic career and your future. Work hard. Compromise. Seek out opportunities to enhance your chances of success - and find your balance between fun and putting in work!
 
If you ever need any advice or support, I am always happy to help or just give recommendations!
 
Good luck to all this year and Rip 'Em Eaters!
 
Best,
 
Allie