![\"guoguang\"](\"https:\/\/kipmcgrathsingapore.files.wordpress.com\/2015\/06\/gg6-2.png?w=475&h=302\")
<\/p>\nOften times, many students find it stressing having to juggle both sports and academic expectations. Many sports talents currently still studying in a primary or secondary school or any other educational institution eventually abandon their passion for their respective sports in order to cope with their studies.<\/p>\n
Kip McGrath is pleased to have had the opportunity to spend some time with GuoGuang Chang, a talented footballer who has represented Singapore several\u00a0times in the ASEAN university games.<\/p>\n
We hope that by sharing his story, it gives you hope and strength to pursue your passion for sports and to know that it is possible to excel in\u00a0both your sports and studies at the same time.<\/p>\n
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Quick Factfile:<\/strong><\/p>\n Pre-University\u00a0Education:<\/strong> Meridian Junior College 2007<\/p>\n National Service:\u00a0<\/strong>Naval Officer.\u00a0Played for Singapore Armed Forces Sports Association\u00a0(SAFSA) football team\u00a0in 2009 and won the Bogaars Cup.<\/p>\n Tertiary Education: <\/strong>Entered\u00a0<\/strong>Singapore Management University (SMU) in 2010.<\/p>\n University:\u00a0SMU (Lee Kong Chian School of Business)<\/strong><\/p>\n Soccer Facts:<\/strong> GuoGuang was a former soccer player who represented Singapore in the\u00a0ASEAN University Games. He also played in the S-League where his team,\u00a0Warriors FC\u00a0won, and also with Geylang International Football Club,\u00a0where his team won the Prime League. He did all these while still studying in SMU.<\/p>\n Occupation:<\/strong> Currently, he is an analyst at BNP Paribas, pursuing a career in banking.\u00a0When he is not at work, he does\u00a0some voluntary coaching for little boys aged 5-6 at the\u00a0Singapore Cricket Club.<\/p>\n Kip:\u00a0<\/b>How has your journey with soccer been ever since you picked it up?<\/p>\n GuoGuang:<\/strong> I picked up the sport when I was in nursery. Of course, it was fun. Always meeting new people as well, be it in a competitive game or a leisure game, in Singapore or overseas. We are all friends off the pitch after the game. That\u2019s the beauty of it.<\/p>\n Kip:\u00a0<\/b>How has your journey been so far academically? How have you managed to juggle the two?<\/p>\n GuoGuang:<\/strong> To be honest, it\u2019s not going to be easy, it is not going to be rosy, but no one said it cannot be done. Time management is really important. It helped me a lot.<\/p>\n GuoGuang:\u00a0<\/strong>My trick? Whenever stress from deadlines and exams start creeping in, I have a habit of drawing up plans on a piece of paper. A detailed weekly\/monthly plan that will tell me what to do on which day and at what time. Stick to it strictly and all will\u00a0be well. Friends call me a machine and that I would feel lost if I don\u2019t have this piece of hardcopy plan, which might be true.\u00a0 Kip:\u00a0<\/b>What would you say is the highlight of your football career so far?<\/p>\n GuoGuang:<\/strong>\u00a0I guess if there has to be one highlight it would be getting the opportunity to play with some of the greatest players and train under some of the greatest coaches over the years.<\/p>\n Kip:<\/b> Were there any points in time when you thought that it was too tough to handle? How did you handle that?<\/p>\n GuoGuang:<\/strong>\u00a0Well, I guess at times we all face obstacles. No matter how tough or bleak things may look, keep believing in yourself, have faith and work hard.<\/p>\n Kip:<\/b>\u00a0What would you say are some things that students can do to juggle studies and yet pursue their sporting interests at the same time?<\/p>\n![\"gg](\"https:\/\/kipmcgrathsingapore.files.wordpress.com\/2015\/07\/gg-rosy.png\")
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