Now that you have signed your name on the dotted line, your life as a student-athlete is never going to be the same! If you thought playing your sport at the high school level was rough… well, you truly don’t know what rough is… yet! You already know that being a student-athlete takes a lot of commitment. You would not be where you are at, right now in this present moment, without the commitment, dedication, sacrifices, and more, made by you and the family, coaches, and friends who have supported you along the way. So, here is some advice from fellow student athletes who have already successfully navigated life as a college student-athlete.
The COLLEGE
Unlike high school, where parents, family members, friends, teachers, and counselors kept you focused on studying and passing your classes; in college, it’s pretty much on you! College is different. You no longer have teachers… you have professors. You no longer have counselors… you have advisors. Their mindsets are different. To a certain degree, they don’t care if you come or not; study or not; pass or not! You no longer have someone else setting your alarms, telling you to get up, making your breakfast, packing your lunches, getting you to school, practice, training, etc. You no longer have someone in your ear telling you to shut it down and go to bed, eat your dinner, drink your water, and take your vitamins! Mom is not there to ask you if your homework is done. Dad is not there to see if you studied for your test. For the first time in your life (or maybe not), it is all on you!
The STUDENT
Life as a college student already presents several challenges and a certain level of stress. Add athlete to college student, and the challenges and stress that goes with it takes on a whole new meaning. The key is not to become overwhelmed. Let your motto be, “one day at a time,” “one hour at a time,” “one minute at a time,” “one thing at a time.” Focus on your mental health, and never take it for granted. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, use the resources provided to you by your college. Focus on your physical health and don’t take it for granted either. You’re no good to yourself, your studies, or your team when your mental and physical health is suffering.
The ACADEMICS
It’s on you… to go to class, to use your time wisely to study, read, write papers, do homework, etc. The academic pace in college is way different then in high school. And, even more so as a student-athlete. Which means you must stay on top of your academic studies in college. Once again utilize your resources like teaching assistants, tutors, webinars, etc. Don’t be afraid, and don’t wait until it is too late, to talk to your professors during office hours and ask for help.
The ATHLETE
As you know, being a student-athlete presents its own level of pressures and stress. Pressures from family, from friends, from coaches… from yourself. Academics, your sport, practices, trainings, study hall, meetings, etc. will always rank over your social life. The biggest challenge will be finding your “why” to keep going in your sport when you’re constantly having to say no to the social scene. So, find your “why”, because your “why” is what’s going to keep you going when you don’t feel like it!
Your journey as a college student-athlete is going to be a hard journey to manage. But, it is doable, and so well worth it!
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