Oftentimes, students find themselves in a pickle between finding a balance in their academics and athletics. For student-athletes, it is having to balance academics, athletics, and personal life. There are so many sacrifices, like the long hours, the work, the mental exhaustion, and the expectations they carry.
One of the biggest struggles is time or the lack of it. School itself takes up most of the day, and by the end of the day, most athletes go straight to practice, taking up the rest of the day they have. For student-athletes, this can often lead to a buildup of assignments and homework. Sophomore Noah Granderson shared, “All the time. About 90% of the time, I don’t have time. I usually have assignments due, and even when I try to stay up when I get home, it’s still not enough.”
Procrastination often becomes a problem because when student-athletes do have a free moment, they are so physically drained that they are not worried about their work at the moment, but more so about their rest. Scrolling through their phones just for a little can quickly turn into an entire night lost, and suddenly you forget about the assignments.
Some students acknowledge that although they need to finish assignments, they just don’t have the mental capacity or enough energy to. Junior Brenda Darisse explained, “When I know I’m too tired and can’t push myself, I know it’s too hard in the moment, so I’ll choose my sanity before my work.”
The weight of having to manage your reputation in school while still performing your athletics can often be a breaking point for some. The buildup of stress from both parts of their life can cause a huge mental mess.
Some sacrifices that often come with sports are trying to balance your personal life as well. Some students have the freedom to hang out with their friends whenever, attend hangouts, or simply relax after school, but athletes often do not have that luxury. Their schedules usually revolve around their practices, games, and schoolwork. Over time, this can lead to students feeling isolated from their community, and seeing their peers enjoy the freedom that they don’t have.
For many, the love or enjoyment of their sport makes the sacrifices worth it, but that doe not mean it doesn’t leave a mark on them.
At its core, the struggle with managing time appropriately usually lies in the lack of flexibility. The structure for games and practices often leads these student-athletes to not even be able to have time to start with to manage it.
The reality is that they are constantly fighting for a balance between being a student and an athlete. For some, sports are the gateway to a break from constant work, and that is why it is worth it enough to keep on going.
A key strategy for maintaining your time management is making the most of available time and resources. Many student-athletes use class time and study periods wisely, ensuring assignments are being completed and do not build up. Effective time management is the most crucial aspect to maintaining your academic workload.
