As a college student athlete, you will likely travel away from school for competitions. Traveling with your team will present many special challenges and unique opportunities. In this section, we offer some suggestions for getting the most out of your time on the road.

1. Before departing, review your syllabus to see what assignments need to be finished. Make sure you have the books, notes, and computer supplies you'll need, especially if the trip is several days long. Also, make sure you have notified your instructors of your upcoming absence and have arranged to complete assignments (especially tests) before, during, or after your trip.

2. Take care of errands and other small tasks, such as paying bills and doing laundry, before you leave so that you won't be overloaded upon your return.

3. If you have free time during the trip, explore places in the towns you visit, especially if there are attractions different from your hometown of the area where your school is located.

4. If you plan to study en route, whether you are driving or flying, work on tasks that don't require concentrated, uninterrupted thought. Reading may not be the best thing to do while you are in the van, bus, or plane because it requires a lot of attention. You may be better off waiting until you arrive at your destination and have a quiet room in which to read. Making and using flash cards, recopying your notes, or performing other clerical tasks might be better to do during actual travel. However, because everyone is different, you need to determine what study tasks you can perform under which circumstances.

5. In your schedule, make sure you set aside time to study, whether on your own or at an organized study table (if you team offers one while it is on the road). Don't' let yourself fall behind!

6. If you can choose your roommate, pick one whose lifestyle and study habits are similar to your own. If you are placed with someone who is entirely incompatible with you, talk with your coach to see if a change can be made or find other places (e.g., a teammates room) that are quiet and conducive to studying.

7. If you travel with a computer and have and e-mail account, you may want to check it while you are gone. Also make sure you have your instructors' email addresses in case you need to submit assignments to them.