The student athlete faces a different set of challenges than your typical college student. They have so many more demands on their time in the forms of practices, training, games, and travel. Participating in a sport at the college level is a great accomplishment and can serve as a springboard to success after college. Very few student athletes actually compete professionally, but they are highly regarded by companies after they graduate. To compete at this level means that you are a fiercely competitive person who knows how to be a team player. These are attributes that make these individuals attractive to prospective employers. However, the student athlete also has to get the most out of their academic pursuits as they do from athletics.
Student athletes number in the thousands across the United States. The ones that play big-time college football that become household names represent a very small fraction of the overall number of student athletes. All student athletes have to abide by the rules set up by the NCAA. This organization sets limits on the number of hours teams can make players practice to ensure that their schoolwork does not suffer too much. Student athletes register for courses that don’t meet during practice time. When you start juggling just your classes and practice time, you have not even begun to think about the time you need complete your schoolwork.
Being organized is the biggest key to balancing athletics and studies. Many athletes are accustomed to having strong self-discipline when it comes to performing on the playing field, and it is imperative that these skills translate to the classroom. Carve out a piece of your daily schedule that you will devote to your schoolwork. Meet with your professors at the beginning of the semester and let them know that you are an athlete. This way you can express concerns over the course of the semester that you are having and they will already understand your situation. They are not going to bend the rules for you, but they will probably try to help you come up with solutions to your problems.
If you feel like you are getting behind in any of your classes, try to find a tutor that can help you get back up to speed. Most universities will have tutors available in each academic discipline to help all students. Try to make friends with people besides your teammates in your classes. These people can help you along the way if you are feeling lost. The biggest thing to remember is that you have people around you that want to help you succeed in class and in athletics.
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