Seeking help on balancing high school life !

<p>Hello CC. I am a freshman in high school currently, class of 2016. About 2 weeks ago, an epiphany hit me and I suddenly started to realize that I needed to step up my life and do well in high school in order to lay a pathway to a successful life. Since I didn't really care about school before that, I have 2 C's out of six classes (Rest are A's). I'm slowly bringing up the two grades, and hopefully by the end of the trimester they'll be A's or high B's.
Anyways, what I currently need help with is the fact that I can't balance my life. I have basketball as a sport after school, and that sucks up the entire afternoon. It is a winter sport, but we're in tryouts session and after tryouts session, we practice until our season starts, which is in November/December. I can't seem to find the time for clubs, which are very important to me. I'm an excellent debater and my knowledge base is pretty steep, so Speech & Debate and Academic Decathlon are very important to me. I really have a passion for basketball as well, but I'm very average at it. I don't shine, but I can make the team throughout my four years of high school.
What I need to know is how do I balance my life? I can't seem to find the time for clubs and other extra-curricular activities, but I know that four years of a sport is important as well. I appreciate any responses !</p>

<p>You should definitely lay out a schedule for each day. You should leave a few hours when you get home open for you to do all your homework/study. Also, if your school has a library, maybe stay there and study for a bit after school since you’ll be in a good environment to get your work done. For your extra curriculars, you shouldn’t do too much as to the point where you have no time left. You should check the meet up times and how many times they meet a week before you commit to it. Maybe if you don’t make the basketball team, then definitely do the debate and decathlon club. But if you do make the basketball team, then maybe you can do your extra curriculars after basketball season is over.</p>