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What is one thing that college freshman should be thinking about that they are not, specifically when it comes to being an athlete and maintaining academic excellence ?
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10 answers
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Advisor | Freelance Writer | TRIO Program Director
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Paul’s Answer
Thinking that they can do it themselves, without assistance or resources.
Athletic departments have so many academic resources that their athletes can utilize to complete a college degree.
This means access to athletic program academic advisors, who they can use to set up class schedules, that do not conflict with their season practice and game schedules.
There are also academic and tutoring assistance programs, combined with supplemental instruction, study halls, study groups, which are coordinated by the athletic departments to help the athletes pass their courses.
So, athletes should check with athletic department staff, to see what they offer to support their education.
Athletic departments have so many academic resources that their athletes can utilize to complete a college degree.
This means access to athletic program academic advisors, who they can use to set up class schedules, that do not conflict with their season practice and game schedules.
There are also academic and tutoring assistance programs, combined with supplemental instruction, study halls, study groups, which are coordinated by the athletic departments to help the athletes pass their courses.
So, athletes should check with athletic department staff, to see what they offer to support their education.
Updated
Neil Austin’s Answer
Freshman student-athletes should prioritize learning how to navigate their dual roles by:
Proactively scheduling and protecting academic study time,
Familiarizing themselves with institutional and NCAA policies,
Leveraging athlete-specific academic support resources,
Communicating early with professors and coaches about potential conflicts or challenges.
Proactively scheduling and protecting academic study time,
Familiarizing themselves with institutional and NCAA policies,
Leveraging athlete-specific academic support resources,
Communicating early with professors and coaches about potential conflicts or challenges.
Updated
Jake’s Answer
Many schools have tutoring centers that should be used to improve academic skills. Being a college athlete could be difficult with all the travel. Additionally, I would recommend using physical therapy resources to improve flexibility, which avoids injury.
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Eric’s Answer
All the above answers are great - what I'd add/emphasize:
- Take time to learn more about what study habits work best for your schedule. Take advantage of study halls, office hours with professors, etc. Find like-minded fellow athletes and individuals and study together, find hours that work to get extra studying in outside of your busy schedule, and find places that bring comfort (e.g., do you prefer a coffee shop, library, academic building, etc.) - whatever you feel is most conducive to your productivity.
- Surround yourself with others that are also seeking to maintain/achieve high academic excellence and grades, putting yourself in an environment where you share the same goals is so important and can really give benefits as opposed to just studying solo (but there's nothing wrong with that, either).
- Don't be afraid to raise your hand and ask for help! Perhaps you're not finding the hours you need or are facing too many distractions - speak up and folks will be willing to help out, Academic Advisors or otherwise.
- Find good mentors, people you respect/look up to that are on a similar path and highly successful. Set up coffee chats, learn from them, ask about their study habits, mentors played a huge role in my academic career.
- Take time to learn more about what study habits work best for your schedule. Take advantage of study halls, office hours with professors, etc. Find like-minded fellow athletes and individuals and study together, find hours that work to get extra studying in outside of your busy schedule, and find places that bring comfort (e.g., do you prefer a coffee shop, library, academic building, etc.) - whatever you feel is most conducive to your productivity.
- Surround yourself with others that are also seeking to maintain/achieve high academic excellence and grades, putting yourself in an environment where you share the same goals is so important and can really give benefits as opposed to just studying solo (but there's nothing wrong with that, either).
- Don't be afraid to raise your hand and ask for help! Perhaps you're not finding the hours you need or are facing too many distractions - speak up and folks will be willing to help out, Academic Advisors or otherwise.
- Find good mentors, people you respect/look up to that are on a similar path and highly successful. Set up coffee chats, learn from them, ask about their study habits, mentors played a huge role in my academic career.
Updated
Janet’s Answer
Hi! Although this question is specific to balancing athletics and academic excellence, I believe this is relevant to everyone balancing more than one thing whether during college or after. (In reality, we're all balancing more than one thing whether it be working part or full-time while in school, having a family and a career, etc.) If you develop and strengthen these skills while in college, it'll help you in the long-run too.
1. Develop time-management skills. In school there is a lot of structure set up for you - start/end times for class, syllabus at the beginning of the year so you know exactly when homework is due and tests are scheduled, practice sessions and game schedules, etc. but you also have "free time" where you need to be diligent, thoughtful, and purposeful on how to allocate your time across studying, practicing, sleeping, hanging out with your friends, etc. There's typically less structure post-college too so this is an important area to hone the skills of creating the structure you need to be successful and figuring out what works best for you to keep track of everything that needs to get done. Do you prefer to-do lists, putting everything on your calendar, etc.
2. There was a different thread where someone asked about ways to mitigate against procrastination - I recommend you read it as there were great answers.
3. Communication is key. If your coach asks for an extra practice but you have a test you need to study for, talk to your coach. They're likely to work with you to schedule the practice after your test. Same goes for group projects - explain your other commitments and collaborate with each other to determine the right timing to work on the project and the right allocation of who is going to do what part.
4. Ask for help / take the offer when someone offers you help. We're not meant to do this alone!
Good luck!
1. Develop time-management skills. In school there is a lot of structure set up for you - start/end times for class, syllabus at the beginning of the year so you know exactly when homework is due and tests are scheduled, practice sessions and game schedules, etc. but you also have "free time" where you need to be diligent, thoughtful, and purposeful on how to allocate your time across studying, practicing, sleeping, hanging out with your friends, etc. There's typically less structure post-college too so this is an important area to hone the skills of creating the structure you need to be successful and figuring out what works best for you to keep track of everything that needs to get done. Do you prefer to-do lists, putting everything on your calendar, etc.
2. There was a different thread where someone asked about ways to mitigate against procrastination - I recommend you read it as there were great answers.
3. Communication is key. If your coach asks for an extra practice but you have a test you need to study for, talk to your coach. They're likely to work with you to schedule the practice after your test. Same goes for group projects - explain your other commitments and collaborate with each other to determine the right timing to work on the project and the right allocation of who is going to do what part.
4. Ask for help / take the offer when someone offers you help. We're not meant to do this alone!
Good luck!
Updated
Brittany’s Answer
Hi Omari,
Being a former college athlete, I understand the importance of having the right academic tools for success. Our coach gave us two simple rules that really made a difference:
1. We had to sit in one of the front two rows of every class. This helped us focus and let our professors recognize us. Students who sit up front usually do better in their classes.
2. We had a mandatory "study hall" every day after classes and practice. Spending about 2 hours in the library to review what we learned that day made a big impact. Going over material on the same day helps you remember it better. Repetition is key when learning new things.
If you stick to these two habits, managing your workload will be much easier, and you’ll be less likely to fall behind or feel burnt out.
If you ever feel overwhelmed, reach out to your support system. Talk to your professors during their office hours, chat with your coaches, and use the resources available to you.
You've got this! Good luck!
Being a former college athlete, I understand the importance of having the right academic tools for success. Our coach gave us two simple rules that really made a difference:
1. We had to sit in one of the front two rows of every class. This helped us focus and let our professors recognize us. Students who sit up front usually do better in their classes.
2. We had a mandatory "study hall" every day after classes and practice. Spending about 2 hours in the library to review what we learned that day made a big impact. Going over material on the same day helps you remember it better. Repetition is key when learning new things.
If you stick to these two habits, managing your workload will be much easier, and you’ll be less likely to fall behind or feel burnt out.
If you ever feel overwhelmed, reach out to your support system. Talk to your professors during their office hours, chat with your coaches, and use the resources available to you.
You've got this! Good luck!
Updated
Kent’s Answer
Hi – great question!
Student athletes need to be organized and have strong time management skills to achieve excellence on the field and the classroom. With the additional responsibilities of athletics (training, practice, and recovery), you will likely have less time to dedicate to other activities than your peers. Being deliberate with your time is essential to make sure you are balancing needs across your athletic and scholastic spectrum.
My advice is find an approach that works for you – whether that’s logging academic deadlines in an online calendar or maintaining a large physical calendar in your room – only you know how to make the biggest impact.
Take the skills that you successfully leveraged in high school and build upon them.
And most importantly – enjoy your collegiate experience!
Student athletes need to be organized and have strong time management skills to achieve excellence on the field and the classroom. With the additional responsibilities of athletics (training, practice, and recovery), you will likely have less time to dedicate to other activities than your peers. Being deliberate with your time is essential to make sure you are balancing needs across your athletic and scholastic spectrum.
My advice is find an approach that works for you – whether that’s logging academic deadlines in an online calendar or maintaining a large physical calendar in your room – only you know how to make the biggest impact.
Take the skills that you successfully leveraged in high school and build upon them.
And most importantly – enjoy your collegiate experience!
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
Hi Omari, my advice to you would be to not put too much pressure on yourself. If you get a bad grade or perform poorly, don't let it affect other areas of your life. These things will happen, its inevitable. Take some time to process it and then move on to the next thing. I hope this helps!
Updated
Amanda’s Answer
It's important to protect your mental health - many athletes are focused on their physical health only but there is an overwhelming amount of stress/pressure when it comes to being a student athlete. Organizations like The Hidden Opponent [https://www.thehiddenopponent.org/] have great resources. In the end - you'll look back [hopefully] on your college years with great fondness for the fun you had, the games you won, and the things you learned.
Updated
Ben’s Answer
I think you have two great answers already, but my additional thought would be: Think about the people who you are sharing your free time with; are they the type of people who support you in what your trying to accomplish? Or do they give you a hard time, even in jest, about your efforts and commitment? Those who are there for you wholeheartedly will ask about your progress and question your methods, but they will always want to see you complete your goals... these are the people to hang out with in your spare time as they care about you as a person, just as you will grow to care for them!