by: Rylee Gilbert

Hey reader, I know that being a student-athlete can bring a lot of pressure. There is always an adult looking over your shoulder, making sure that your grades are top tier and that you’re doing your absolute best on and off the field. It becomes a lot for someone who is constantly trying their hardest to succeed in everything they do. Although it can often be tiring and unmotivating, it is still a reward to be in the category known as the hard-working, athletic, and outgoing bunch. Here are some essentials to keep in mind while doing everything you can.

1. Time Management is Crucial:

As a student-athlete, your schedule can be packed with classes, practices, games, and other commitments, such as work or other things outside of school and your sport. It’s important that you develop and maintain a strong sense of time management. Time management is crucial to effectively maintaining a healthy balance between academics and athletics. Many students find themselves a routine or schedule that works for them that could include early morning workouts, classes, team meetings, and study sessions. Managing your time will help you stay organized and have a clear mind throughout your busy day.

2. Prioritizing Your Own Health:

 Student-athletes often forget to check in with themselves throughout their jam-packed season. This leads to putting your own physical well-being in a detrimental position. Without your health being at its peak, it can put a damper on your success in sports. This includes understanding how to prevent injuries and knowing the importance of nutrition and recovery. A healthy body supports the physical demands of your sport, so make sure to prioritize your physical well-being. Your mental health is important too, so don’t forget to check in with yourself mentally or talk to someone if you’re struggling. You can’t have a healthy body without the help of a healthy mind, and vice versa.

3. Stay Focused:

As someone who gets very distracted easily, it’s important to stay focused. Setting both long-term and short-term goals can keep you motivated. Whether it's earning a scholarship for sports, improving your athletic skill, or graduating from high school or college. Keeping an attainable goal in mind can help you stay focused academically as well as athletically. When you have such a busy schedule, maintaining concentration means knowing your priorities and staying disciplined with your time, as it is more valuable since you may have less time than other students who may not be doing as much with their free time.

4. Communicate with Coaches & Teachers/Professors:

Effective communication is key to a healthy balance between academics and athletics. If you have an important game or practice that may interfere with an important exam or assignment, talking to your coaches and/or professors about it ahead of time is major. Most of the time, your teachers are very understanding and can help you create time in your schedule to take a make-up quiz or test. Similarly, most teachers will also give you an extension on missed work in class if notified ahead of time.

You should also keep open communication between you and your coaches for any academic issues that may arise and could potentially take away from practices or game time. Your coaches are there to help you and may even adjust your training schedule to help keep you on track with both your academics and your physical fitness.

5. Build Strong Relationships - Both On and Off The Field:

The relationships you make are really important. Whether it’s with teammates, coaches, or professors, the people you surround yourself with can help you succeed. Having strong relationships creates a support system that makes balancing sports and school easier. Your teammates will be there for you, cheering you on during wins and helping you through tough times. They get what you're going through and can give you the encouragement you need when things get hard.

Don’t forget the importance of your personal relationships. Friends and family provide the emotional support you need when things get tough. They remind you of your worth and provide a sense of normalcy outside of sports and academics. Building these strong, supportive relationships helps you maintain balance and keeps you grounded during busy or stressful times.

Being a student-athlete requires juggling multiple commitments, but with good time management, prioritizing your health, staying focused, communicating well, and building solid relationships, you’ll be able to thrive both academically and athletically. Don’t let yourself get burned out, it will only do you harm. Reach out for help, someone is always in your corner. As you keep pushing yourself, remember that the challenges you face now will help shape your future success.