Hello everyone! I am Lester W., and this is my 5th year at Stanford OHS. As both a senior and a competitive swimmer, balancing these roles has been a challenging, yet rewarding journey that has transformed my daily life.
My day typically starts before dawn as I plunge into cold water for my morning practice. The familiar smell of chlorine, paired with the sound of water sloshing around me, wakes me right up as I begin to think about my day, keeping mental tabs of important upcoming assignments.
Following my swim practice, I rush home for a quick breakfast before transitioning into the academic aspect of my life. I begin by checking my to-do list I made the week prior, planning my day to allot time for assignments, class times, and the ever-important office hours hosted by my instructors! As I typically only have one class in the morning (either Physics or Philosophy), I can spend the bulk of my morning on assignments, prep work, or office hours.
The flexibility of Stanford OHS’ block schedule allows me to tailor my academic schedule to fit my training. Lunch serves as a brief respite from my studies, but the day is far from over. My afternoon is dedicated to more coursework, consisting of American Culture & Society, Study of Mind, and Multivariable Calculus.
In the late afternoon, I transition back to my role as a competitive swimmer. The second swim session serves as a break after a long day of school. The evening is a blend of academic diligence, rest, and recovery. After dinner, I usually dive into my assignments, and these moments also allow me time to reflect on my day as a student-athlete.
My life as a Stanford OHS student and a competitive swimmer is a harmonious blend of time management, resilience, and determination, but it is those around me that have allowed me to excel in my own pursuits, whether academic or athletic.
