By Quez Robinson

For many college student-athletes, success is measured not only by their performance on the
field but also by their achievements in the classroom. Balancing academics, athletics and personal responsibilities can be a difficult challenge that requires strong time-management skills and discipline. For those of us who are not student-athletes, it can be difficult to understand the demands they face every day. To gain a better understanding, The Collegian
spoke with a few student-athletes on campus about the routines and strategies that help them stay on top of both their schoolwork and their sport.

“Being a student-athlete can be stressful because you have to balance classes, practices, games and studying while also maintaining a life outside of sports,” said football player Kyjuan Westmoreland. “The best thing that helps me is staying organized and managing my time. I try to get assignments done whenever I have free time instead of waiting until the last minute and stressing myself out. It can get tiring, especially during the season, but you have to learn how to prioritize what is important and make the most of the time you have.”

“The one thing people might not realize is how mentally exhausting it can be,” shared basketball player Quamir Ingram. “Some days, you can have a rough practice or game and still have to get up, go to class and focus on assignments afterward. Most of the time, you have to put whatever happens on the court aside and focus on being a student because, at the end of the day, academics matter too. It is important to know when to take a break and give yourself time to reset. Having a good support system is key because there will be times when you cannot handle everything by yourself.”

“Balancing school, sports and my personal life can be tough at times, but staying organized helps me manage everything,” shared football player Tyhlen Foust. “I try to keep a schedule, so I know when I need to attend classes, study, practice and take care of responsibilities outside of sports. There are days when it gets stressful, but I have learned to stay disciplined and make the most of my time. Having support from my coaches, teammates and family also helps me stay focused. Overall, being a student-athlete has taught me responsibility, time management and how to stay committed to my goals in life.”

After speaking with these student-athletes, it is clear that balancing school, sports and personal lives is not always easy. Long days, busy schedules and constant responsibilities can be challenging, but they find ways to make it work. Whether it is staying organized, leaning on their support systems or simply pushing through stressful days, these athletes show the dedication it takes to be a student-athlete. Their experiences remind us that there is much more to being a student athlete than what we see on game day.