How To Make Practice Fun
As a competitive synchronized ice skater, this is a question that I ask myself multiple times a week. And I have been asking this question for years at this point. With practices that are sometimes longer than a full school day, or some that are just a couple of hours, I often look for entertainment to distract myself from the cold, fatigue, and pain. Let me be clear, I am not saying that practice is unbearable or boring. I’m saying that it can be tough because the goals I have set do not come without hard work and grit. However, because practice takes up so much of my time, I strive to make the best out of it, and I look for fun wherever I can find it.
To start, I have some strategies that I have been using these past few seasons.
Number one is enjoying the time in the locker room before and after practice. While getting ready, you get to simultaneously talk with your friends, listen to music, and get out all the excitement from reuniting with them. It’s a private place to let loose before a long practice. You can even go in earlier to have some extra time before getting on the ice.
After practice, the satisfaction of setting all your stuff down and slumping onto the bench is like no other. The shared relief within the locker room of undoing extremely tight laces, packing up bags, and regaining feeling in our hands and toes, all accompanied by chatter, is comforting and well-needed. It’s kind of like a built-in team bonding event, and I feel it is sometimes underappreciated or unnoticed because of how routine it is.
My second recommendation is to get food before or after practice with friends. Just a quick coffee run before getting to the rink can add a sprinkle of more motivation and excitement (and it’s not just the caffeine). Treating yourself before a day of hard work can already make it seem less daunting. In my opinion, the post-practice treats are even better. I usually get hungry during long practices, and the ride home on an empty stomach can be uncomfortable. Rewarding myself with food and also more time with friends is something I really look forward to. Just hearing the suggestion of it in the middle of practice can keep me going. It feels good to know I’m nourishing my body as well as my friendships.
Lastly, I recommend carpooling, especially if practice is a long drive away. It’s basically just hanging out with friends and it makes the car ride much more entertaining. You guys can talk, go on your phones, listen to music, do homework, sleep, etc., but everything is more fun with another person.
Personally, even if I am going on my phone, it's more amusing when I have someone with me because I can show them what I’m looking at, or ask for their opinion. Also, doing homework with others is more enjoyable than doing it alone because seeing others working hard motivates me.
When I compare my carpooling to driving alone or with a parent, I find that my carpools contain a lot more laughter and enriching conversations. Obviously, I am not going to just laugh or talk to myself while driving alone but I don’t get the same experience driving with mom or dad. It really changes the way I feel about long drives, and I no longer dread them.
Overall, it's important to find and cherish the bits of happiness sprinkled everywhere. Balancing an intense practice schedule along with everything else in life can be overwhelming, so it's important to make those practices something you look forward to, and genuinely enjoy. You work too hard to not have fun.