Five Things to Remember as a Student Athlete
Whether just starting a collegiate sport or participating in the sport for a few years now, here are five reminders of ways you can mitigate some of the negative components of being a student-athlete.
By Samantha Bockoven — January 17, 2023
Having the opportunity to compete in a sport at the college level is a huge accomplishment. Out of the roughly eight million high school students who play sports each year, only about 6% move on to participate in collegiate athletics in any division. The athletes who get to compete at this level have to show a lot of dedication, determination, and self-sacrifice to reach this opportunity.
There are many benefits to being a student-athlete. Some of these benefits include a built-in friend group and community, free gear, academic support (such as free tutoring), traveling, staying fit, potential scholarship money, and representing your school while playing a sport you love. While all of these are positive things, student-athletes have also been known to experience fatigue, have limited social lives, experience mental health problems, and struggle to keep up with the demands of school while juggling the demands of varsity sports.
Whether just starting a collegiate sport or participating in the sport for a few years now, here are five reminders of ways you can mitigate some of the negative components of being a student-athlete.
Time management is key to balancing academics and sports. Many athletes report spending up to six hours a day on their sport. Between walking to and from the locker room and dorm rooms, practices, meetings, games, weight training, mandatory study hours, and recovery and prevention in the training room, the time spent on the sport each week can end up being more than a full-time job!
Time Management
In addition to the athletic requirements, most athletes have a full academic load and might even work a part-time job. Because of this, it is very important to develop excellent time management skills. One way to increase your time management skills is to stay organized. Each week, ensure you look ahead to your commitments with sports and school. Do you have to travel for a game? Do you have any big assignments? What days do you work? Once you know what is coming up, put all the mandatory events on a calendar, such as classes, practices, and work. Then, make a plan and create a priority list. Next, you should work on making your way down the priority list. You can break tasks into smaller chunks if need be. Most importantly, start early! Your body and mind will thank you if you work on getting things done promptly instead of procrastinating.
Ask for Help
It's okay to ask for help and support from coaches and professors. It is okay to ask for help. Faculty, staff, and coaches want to see you succeed and become the best version of yourself. If you are struggling in any way-whether academically, financially,mentally, physically, or emotionally-make sure that you reach out to a trusted adult. At every school, resources are available to help with the demands of being a student-athlete. Some examples of resources your school might have include: academic advisors, tutoring services, counseling services, emergency financial assistance programs, and more.
In addition, if you need accommodations for a disability, such as extended test-taking time or someone to help with notetaking, the office of disabilities can assist you. Talk to your coaches and professors. They should be aware of these different resources and help you get connected.
Reach Outside Athletics
Don't be afraid to explore other interests and activities outside of sports. When making a list of what you need to do each week, include some activities that bring you joy. Collegiate athletics can take a toll on your mental health. It is important to have other activities you enjoy doing. If you struggle to perform in your sport, injured and unable to play at all, or not getting along with your teammates because of the high-stress environment, you need to have a life outside of the sport that you can turn towards to occupy your mind. Going to dinner with friends from class, attending a pottery class, or taking a weekend camping trip are all great ways to remove yourself mentally for a short time from the rigors of athletics. It is also important to remember that only a select few individuals continue to compete in their sport at a high level after college, so it is good to find interests outside of sports to make yourself a more well-rounded individual.
Prioritize Self-Care
It's important to prioritize self-care and rest to avoid burnout. Self-care is the most important priority! If you start to burn out, you will not be able to perform at your best. Proper self-care includes getting enough sleep, eating a well-balanced diet, practicing gratitude, relaxing, and staying connected with friends and family. Making sure you form good self-care habits will increase your chances of having a steady and enjoyable experience as an athlete.
As you enter the demanding and rewarding world of collegiate athletics, make sure you work toward good time management, reach out when you need help, maintain a life outside the sport, and prioritize self-care. These things will allow you to perform at your best and reach your true potential.
Samantha Bockoven
Samantha Bockoven graduated from Villanova University in 2019 with a degree in Peace and Justice and a minor in Global Health. She went on to get her master’s in public health with a concentration in disaster health and emergency preparedness. Since then, she has worked in a variety of public health jobs in the United States and around the world.
Maximizing Mentorship
April 30, 2024
The Rise of College eSports
April 29, 2024
