Averett University is home to many passionate student-athletes from around the world, dedicated to both their sports and their majors. Balancing athletics and academics can be challenging, especially for incoming freshmen. However, seniors like long snapper Aaron Haley and cornerback Nakoa Goins offer valuable advice on managing this balance for freshman defensive end Jaquel Young.
In college sports, academics must come first. The challenges of being a student-athlete can be significant.
“It’s hard being a collegiate athlete and a student. With the limited time between classes, team meetings, practices, and film,” Young stated. “There’s no time to do homework or study throughout the day.”
Young also shared his experiences in managing school and sports.
“Finding the time to do schoolwork while not missing football is hard because everything is coming at you all at once,” Young said. “I try to overcome this by planning my day out in advance to make time for both class and football to work on upcoming assignments.”
For freshmen, the initial transition can be particularly tough, especially for student-athletes balancing their academic and athletic commitments. Goins offered some advice.
“Be prepared to make sacrifices and prioritize what is important to you as a student-athlete,” Goins said. “We came to Averett University to play our sport and to get a degree, so our academics come first. Also, never be afraid to ask for help, whether from a professor, tutor, or coach; they are there to help you succeed.”
For many student-athletes, athletics can dominate their lives as soon as they arrive on campus, leading them to feel that their sport takes precedence over academics due to the pressure to perform.
“Sometimes I do think that, especially in the middle of the season when the workload starts to pile up week by week, depending on our opponents,” Goins admitted. “But overall, I prioritize my academics, no matter the workload. Sometimes it’s a 50-50 or 60-40 split, but at the end of the day, we must prioritize our academics as student-athletes.”
Grades are crucial for player eligibility and can be significantly affected during a competitive season. Haley emphasized the importance of academic responsibility.
“Prioritizing academics is important before doing anything else,” Haley said. “I do my assignments as soon as I get home from practice and don’t waste time procrastinating.”
Haley also suggested strategies for staying organized.
“Utilizing my assignment calendar and prioritizing time management by noting due dates helps me stay organized and on track,” Haley explained. “This way, I can complete my assignments on time instead of waiting until the last minute to start.”
In collegiate sports, finding the balance between academics and athletic commitments can be tough.
In conclusion, balancing academics and athletics as a collegiate athlete requires discipline, time management, and support. Upperclassmen like Aaron Haley and Nakoa Goins stress the importance of prioritizing education and seeking assistance. Freshmen like Jaquel Young are learning to navigate this balance, and with guidance and planning, student-athletes can succeed both on the field and in the classroom. At Averett University, understanding that academics and athletics can coexist with the right approach and commitment is key.
