Being a college student-athlete is awesome! You get to play the sports you love while challenging yourself in the classroom. But let’s be honest, it can also feel super intense – like balancing a bunch of soccer balls on your feet while riding a unicycle! In a recent report by the NCAA, the graduation rate for Student-athletes has reached a new high of 91% in 2023. The odds are on your side so there is nothing to worry about! But that does not mean it will be a piece of cake. This guide will show you how to be a successful student-athlete in college that gives you tips and tricks on how to survive.

College Baseball Players

When I first committed to play Division 1 lacrosse at Brown University, I was super nervous on figuring out ways how I could balance both my academics as well as excelling on the field too. After a lot of hard work with trial and error for what worked for me, I managed to create a schedule that perfectly balanced all aspects of my life to fully enjoy my college experience. Then when I made the switch to playing Division 1 Football at Rutgers I had to make major adjustments. Longer hours of practice, film, and rehab totally stressed me out, but the willingness to adjust my ways helped me be a successful student athlete. 

We’ll explore how to conquer your classes, manage your busy schedule like a pro, and develop the mental toughness to succeed in both academics and athletics. By the end, you’ll feel confident on how to be a successful student athlete in college and prepared to take on the exciting challenges!

Balancing Athletics and Academics

College throws a lot your way – tough classes, early morning practices, and maybe even a fun social scene. The key on how to be successful student athlete in college  is finding a balance between these things. Here’s how:

  • Be a Champion Communicator: Talk to your professors at the beginning of the semester. Let them know about your athletic schedule and ask about their policies for missed classes or assignments. Most professors are understanding and will work with you if you communicate openly.
  • Plan It Out: Create a weekly schedule that includes class times, practices, study sessions, and even some social time (we’ll get to that later!). Be realistic about how much you can accomplish each day and be flexible when unexpected things come up. Think of your schedule like a game plan – the more prepared you are, the smoother everything will run!
  • Find Your Study Zone: Having a dedicated study space will help you focus and avoid distractions. Whether it’s a quiet corner of the library or your dorm room with the door closed, make sure it’s comfortable and well-lit. Imagine your study zone as your training ground for academics – the more focused you are here, the more prepared you’ll be for tests and assignments.

Academic Success: Owning the Classroom

Conquering your classes is a major accomplishment to be proud of! Without success in the classroom there will not be success on the field. Here are some tips to ensure you ace those exams:

  • Be Present and Participate: Actively listen in class discussions and take good notes. This will help you understand the material better and prepare for exams. The best thing you can do is participate as well. Having the teacher know who you are as well as care about the content they make a living on will give advantages (getting that B+ to a A-).Think of yourself as a detective in class – gather all the clues (information) the teacher gives you so you can solve the mystery (ace the test)! 
  • Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help: If you’re struggling with a concept, don’t hesitate to reach out to your professor or a tutor for extra clarification. There’s no shame in seeking help – it shows you’re committed to learning! Tutors are there to help you. By not asking for their help it is a wasted opportunity to better yourself in the classroom. Some schools even assign you tutoring hours, so you are receiving the help anyways.  Imagine your professor or tutor as your coach – they’re there to help you reach your academic goals. 
  • Form a Study Group: Find classmates in your tough courses and create a study group. Explaining concepts to each other can solidify your own understanding and make studying more fun. Think of a study group as your team – you can support and learn from each other, just like on the field!
Students hanging out and studying

Time Management! The Key Part on How to be a Successful Student Athlete in College: 

Time management is a crucial tool in how to be a successful student-athlete in college. In my college days, creating time management sheets helped me exponentially. When creating these weekly sheets, I would write down exactly what I wanted to do each day within an hour or two hour time block during that week. I started doing this when I started Graduate School at Rutgers University playing on the football team because I had to adjust to the differences in hours dedicated from when I was playing lacrosse to football. We were a morning team so all of my mornings were dedicated to football strictly that being practice, film study, and rehab. Then I would prioritize much of the afternoon to schoolwork. Since I was taking five classes, I would put down each day specifically I was working on for the weekdays. I knew weekends would not work because of Saturday Game Day and then Sunday being an all day affair at the facility for practice/film study from the game. I would block off 3 hours strictly for school where I would get whatever assignments I needed done in that time frame. After a long day, going home and getting some rest is the best thing to do. 

It is all about what works for yourself. I figured out what was good for me and my schedule on how to maximize my sport during certain times of the day then completely focusing on my academics during another, while also making free time to just take a breath before doing it all again the next day.

Here are some resources to help you stay on top of your schedule:

  • Planners and Calendars: Write down everything – classes, practices, exams, deadlines – so you can see your week at a glance. Digital calendars on your phone or computer can also be helpful. Think of these as your game schedule – you wouldn’t want to miss a practice, so don’t miss an important assignment either!
  • To-Do Lists: Break down large tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. Checking completed tasks off your list gives you a sense of accomplishment and keeps you motivated. Imagine your to-do list as your training plan – break down big goals into smaller, daily steps to ensure you reach your full potential! 
  • Time Blocking: Allocate specific time slots for studying, homework, and relaxation. This helps you stay focused and avoid procrastination. There are even apps that can help you block out time for different activities. Imagine time blocking as your game strategy – dedicate specific times to focus on different tasks, just like you would focus on different plays during a game. What works best is assigning certain days for certain classes. By focusing on classes one day at a time it allows you to maximize your learning on that specific subject without getting overwhelmed with other material from different classes.  
Student creating a calendar

Don’t Forget to Get Those ZZZ’s

Sleep! Sleep! Sleep!:  (8-10 hours/night) Sleep is one of the most important things you can do as an athlete. This is the time for your body to recover after a full day of practice mixed in with school requirements. Sleep helps with muscle growth as well as recover your body from all the strain that was taken during the day. Also it helps you retain all the knowledge of information that has been presented to you throughout the course of the day. In a recent report written by Dr. Anis Rehmam says” Sleep helps everyone to retain and consolidate memories. When athletes practice or learn new skills, sleep helps form memories, and contributes to improved performance in the future.” In order to peak on both sides, sleep is an absolute must as a student-athlete in college.