High school students are faced with the daily struggles of juggling homework, studying, extracurriculars, and relationships. While this may be a challenge in itself, some choose to take it upon themselves to go the extra mile and play sports. In the media, these student-athletes are often portrayed as only athletes. For instance, look towards the dumb jock narrative evident in many popular culture films. Contrary to this popular belief, some students challenge that stereotype by pursuing sports at a high level and taking some of the most grueling classes Saline has to offer.
Despite enjoying their respective sports, many of these individuals feel that taking both strenuous courses and pursuing a sport places a toll on them. After interviewing many student-athletes, it was evident that sports take away time from schoolwork and vice versa. One such student stated, “I start homework at ten most nights because I have practice, but it is usually worth it.” Many of them also admitted that while school was of the utmost importance, they found it hard to balance the hectic schedules of both. One, a senior, explained it as such: “ I can’t find time to do a lot of the fun stuff I would want to do like hang out with friends or go out.” However, others still view them as simply athletes rather than student-athletes. When posed the question, “What sort of stigmas do you hear about either being a student who cares about classes or as an athlete,” one student replied, “some people think that school and sports are an or else situation; they think I can’t do one without giving up the other.”
The labels society places upon these athletes overshadow the hassle that they experience daily. Their mental and physical well-being is at risk with the pressure from both ends. A study performed by the University of Southern California found that over thirty percent of participating student-athletes reported feeling overwhelmed during the past month. Due to the success and put-together profiles they present, many struggles student-athletes face are overlooked. Students need a better support system that works with their hectic schedules, allowing them to perform well in academics and their respective sports. Without a system that uplifts them, some of the brightest athletes may have to pick between the two: sports or academics.
While externally it may seem that most student-athletes have their lives well balanced and together, it is much more arduous to manage. Those who choose to commit to both their academics and athletics develop newfound skills, such as time management, the ability to form/build connections with others, and tenacity to work hard. However, these positive traits are obscured by the stress these young individuals must endure. These necessary skills for the workforce should be nurtured rather than hindered, providing students the space and chance for help to succeed in both respects.
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