I think that John and Emily have potential to achieve everything they want to achieve and if they are willing to do it.  They will have to make big sacrifices but it is able to get done.  Although, they may be capable physically to do this how about mentally and is it realistic?

Finding the proper balance between social, school, sports, and family is extremely hard when they are following a schedule as busy as they are.  From experience I definitely understand this scenario as I am writing this waiting for my flight.  If you/John and Emily do not find the proper balance with their busy schedule, after time mentally they will not be able to handle it.  They will get stressed and can get unmotivated to finish a job they may have started.

If not finishing their English assignment I believe they will blame themselves but as well as others that were involved.  They will be disappointed that they were incapable of finishing, but they will also for example blame their teacher for assigning the assignment.

Funny thing is I feel like I am in their place.  I am in Richmond four times a week and stay til 10 at night for practice.  Its extremely hard finishing my homework when I also have such heavy course load and don’t understand it all.  Meanwhile, I only have one free day on the weekend which I don’t think a lot of teachers understand.  I definitely am stressed almost 24/7.  It is important to find balance but at times it seems nearly to impossible.  Its very bad for your mental health.  So, my advice for John and Emily is take a step back and be more real with yourself whether you can complete a task you take on or not.