Editor’s Note: Welcome back to New York Lizard/UNC grad/Team 247 founder/ESPN analyst/legend Ryan Flanagan’s new series. Flanagan is involved at every level of the game and his insight is unparalleled. Through his new RF YouTube channel, he’s been dropping knowledge on countless aspects of the game and we’re sharing this wisdom with you, including his new Weekly Tip encouraging you to take care of your grades!
Too often do many of us look back at some point in our pasts and realize that there’s more we could have done on the field, in the weight room, or most importantly… in the classroom. Bad decision making surrounding academics can be some of the most haunting mistakes a student-athlete can make. We often hear that grades matter and to get our work done, but an overused phrase can just go in one ear and out of the other of plenty of us.
“The better your grades are, the more success and opportunity you’re going to have in the next phase of life!”
There’s nothing that closes a door to the future like missed assignments, lousy test scores, and an overall lack of effort in the classroom. It all adds up to bad grades, and bad grades don’t just mean that you’ll have to sit out a game or two, or leave you struggling to catch up. They can mean a simple and easy rejection from the school you had your heart set on. Maybe you don’t meet their standards, or maybe you do, but another candidate took their schooling a bit more seriously and therefore took your spot. It can also mean not landing the job you want once you graduate and that starts to hurt more than missed playing time.
There are a ton of little things you can do to help yourself out. Find a tutor, take study hall seriously, meet with the instructor, it all makes a difference. Just don’t wait until the semester is nearing its end to get started. Get after it early, starting now!
Follow RF for more Weekly Tips!
Between playing in Major League Lacrosse, commentating on the college game with ESPNU and running my club program, I’m involved in lacrosse at every level. Be sure to subscribe to my channel to follow me through the MLL offseason and as I prepare for the college season with ESPNU.
You’ll also be able to find some of the tips and drills I use as a player and coach, as well as product reviews on the equipment players are using at every level of our sport.
Want to see something else on this channel?
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Want to work with me on the field?
Visit www.Team247Lax.com
