Table of Contents
Tip 1: Prioritize Rest and Recovery
Tip 2: Plan Ahead
Tip 3: Use Your Coaches and Teachers
Tip 4: Be Adaptive
Why is this Important?
Sports can take a physical and mental toll on your body. Student-athletes face various pressures that can cause additional struggles in the classroom and on the sports field. My name is Devon Witt and I played softball at Franklin and Marshall College. Throughout my four years, I found it difficult to find the perfect balance between academics and athletics, but I found a few tips that have helped me. That is why I wrote this blog to help others who could benefit from knowing some strategies and tips for student-athletes to succeed.
Tip 1: Prioritize Rest and Recovery
Going through rigorous training and practices can cause many impacts to your body. Not only will you feel physically exhausted but you can feel an added layer of stress and mental fatigue. To help combat this, it is important for student-athletes to prioritize rest and recovery. Making time to recover both mentally and physically is amongst the most forgotten tips for student-athletes. Rest is crucial for many things like injury prevention, mental well-being, improved concentration, and long-term sustainability. To keep your body in prime condition, getting sleep and resting your body will help prevent your susceptibility to strain injuries. In my freshman year of college, I did not value my rest and in result it was hard to recover from small injuries. Once, I started to maintain a consistent sleep schedule and listened to my body, I experienced fewer injuries.
In addition to the physical benefits, getting rest is important for your overall mental well-being and focus. Rest and recovery provide an opportunity for student-athletes to recharge mentally and reduce stress. Even dedicating a short amount of time to relax can go a long way. There are calming meditation music videos on YouTube that can be a good place to start if you are struggling to find a way to relax. It can also help improve focus and concentration allowing you to absorb more information in the classroom. Lastly, over time the neglect of rest and recovery can lead to burnout. This can cause decreased enthusiasm in both your sport and your academics. It is important to love what you are doing because that is what pushes you to succeed.
This tip was very helpful during my college career because my team had 6 a.m. lifts, 3 times a week. I was always feeling tired because I stayed up late completing assignments and had to wake up early. However, I made sure to allocate time for me to rest. I also sought out the sports trainer to get iced and stretched when my body was feeling sore. As someone who struggled with making time for rest and recovery, I wanted to highlight its importance in this list of tips for student-athletes.
Tip 2: Plan Ahead
Planning ahead is one of the most fundamental tips for student-athletes. It is difficult to juggle your athletic schedule on top of your courses, but it is not impossible. Time management helps you allot time for both training and academics, ensuring you can meet your obligations in both areas without feeling overwhelmed. Using a calendar or planner is a helpful tool that can make it easier for you to plan out what assignments you have for the week and when to do them around your practices or games. There are planners designed specifically for student-athletes that can help you manage your time better. Staying on top of your school work can alleviate stress and make it easier for you to perform athletically. When you plan ahead, it is not only important to make time for your assignments, but you should set realistic goals. You can establish milestones, track progress, and make necessary adjustments to stay on track to achieve your objectives. Achieving a goal you set for yourself will make you feel accomplished and will help push you to keep striving for success.
I used a planner and my Google Calendar to track my class schedule, meetings, and assignments. At the beginning of every week, I made sure to write down upcoming due dates and my softball schedule. This made it easier for me to stay on top of my work and plan out times to dedicate to completing assignments. This was the hardest tip for me to master. However, I felt so much better once I found a system that worked for me.
Tip 3: Use Your Coaches and Teachers
Coaches and teachers are resources and support systems that are crucial for student-athletes. They can assist you in navigating the challenges of balancing athletics and academics. Having their support and guidance enables you to thrive. Coaches and teachers are there to help you, so you should not be afraid to utilize them. Most coaches have been previous athletes which makes them fully equipped to help you because they have been in your shoes. This is one of the most essential tips for student-athletes because it can be key for stress relief. As a former student-athlete, I know it is hard to ask for advice, but it can be key to your success.
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Talking to your coaches and teachers can also be beneficial if you are undergoing scheduling conflicts. A teacher can give you extensions on assignments or extra information if you are struggling. Coaches can move practice times to help accommodate your course load. It is not a sign of weakness if you need help, it shows more strength that you are willing to seek assistance from others.
Tip 4: Be Adaptive
Things such as schedules, assignments, and even coaches can change on a whim, nothing is ever set in stone. Being adaptable is critical for you as a student-athlete because it enables you to manage the unique demands of your athletic and academic pursuits. This is one of the mental tips for student-athletes that is more of a mindset rather than an explicit action. With outdoor sports, you face weather delays that can be abrupt and change your entire weekly schedule. It is important to not stress out over the things you cannot control and just adapt accordingly. You do not want to add stress to your already busy schedule. During my four years of college, I had 4 different coaches. I struggled to be adaptable and I almost changed colleges because of it. I have first-hand experienced of the stress that comes from these unforeseen changes, but my mental well-being improved once I found a way to deal with changes. This tip may seem self-explanatory, but I wanted to include it on this list of tips for student-athletes because it can be extremely beneficial in the elimination of stress.
Why Should I Know These Tips for Student-Athletes?
The pressures of competitive sports, rigorous training regimens, and academic responsibilities can take a toll on an athlete’s mental health. School is stressful in itself and playing a sport is supposed to be a release from that. College is some of the best years of your life and I want student-athletes to enjoy the time they have because it goes faster than you think. The journey of a student-athlete is undoubtedly demanding, but it’s also filled with incredible opportunities for growth and achievement. By incorporating the tips outlined in this blog, you can navigate the delicate balance between athletics and academics, prioritize your mental health, and ultimately excel on and off the field. I encourage you to please share your own strategies and tips for student-athletes because very individual is different.
“Put your mental health first because if you don’t then you’re not going to enjoy your sport and you’re not going to succeed as much as you want to.”
– Simone Biles
