Hannah McGregor is your average 17-year-old high school student. She goes to class and has an active social life. She even has extra-curricular activities. There’s one difference though: Hannah’s main extra-curricular activity is skating with Nexxice, the 2009 World Junior Silver Medalist Synchronized Figure Skating Team.

It goes without saying that Hannah has a pretty packed schedule. She has regular practices 3-4 times a week for 3-4 hours at a time, as well as a 1.5 hour commute to and from the arena. She has competed internationally in Italy and Switzerland and is preparing to head to France for an international competition, as well as readying herself for the 2010 World Juniors in Sweden this March.

So how does Hannah balance an active amateur skating career with the life of a full-time student?

In one word: organization.

On Studying

Fresh from writing her last exam of the semester, Hannah says that when it comes to studying and homework she likes to find a place to study and stay there as long as possible. During commutes to and from practices, she creates study notes so that she can use the drive time to complete homework and prepare for tests.

Hannah says that she has learned the art of prioritizing, which is essentially a juggling act. Keeping her marks up in all of her subjects sometimes requires her to postpone or push back certain subjects so that she can direct her attention to the subjects that she struggles in.

On Teachers

While teachers are flexible, Hannah says that she isn’t often given extended deadlines, which means that she has to use her time wisely. But, when it comes to missing tests or assignments due to competitions, she works with teachers to find a compromise that works for everybody. Hannah finds that having good grades works in her favour when asking for extended deadlines. Smiling, she adds that it never hurts to be nice to your teachers!

On Essays and Exams

After the highs of a competition, it can be challenging to switch into an essay-writing mindset, so Hannah is careful to recognize when and where she can get her work done and use that time wisely. The key is don’t waste time!

Hannah is sure to not let missed class time or assignments catch up with her when it comes time for exams. She keeps up-to-date study notes throughout the semester and tries to listen actively in class at all times. Both of these things mean less effort when it comes time to study.

On Parental Support

While Hannah is super-organized and works hard to maintain a healthy school/life/skating balance she says that with such a busy schedule, good parental support isn’t just necessary—it’s essential!

Oxford Learning congratulates Hannah on all her success and wishes Nexxice the best of luck this week when they compete in France, and in March at the World Juniors in Sweden!

Good Luck Hannah! We’ll be cheering you on!