Collegiate Student-Athlete

The transition from high school to college can be a difficult for most young adults. The college experience provides an opportunity to living on your own, do your own laundry, cook for yourself, and manage academic life all at the same time. Add the role of an athlete to college life and the transition becomes even more difficult. In collegiate sports, you are expected to be a student first followed by your role as an athlete. Student-athletes have additional daily responsibilities including athletic practices, travel to and from competitions, and study hall. Life as a student-athlete can be hectic and at times overwhelming.

As a student-athlete, there will be days that you will be absent from classes due to the travel schedule of the team. Advice that was been passed to me from upper classmen as well as my coach is that “missing one day of class is like missing two.” Without a solid time management plan and proactive study habits, the academic rigor can become more intense. Student-athletes must miss class for travel and competitions, yet they are still held responsible for keeping up with assignments and tests. If you don’t pass, you don’t play.

The life of a student-athlete is tough and requires hard work, but can be very rewarding. As student-athletes, we are fortunate to receive scholarships (full or partial), be able to represent our school, and have unique, fulfilling experiences that will never be forgotten.   To be a champion, you must practice and play hard in both the classroom and the playing field.