Through interviews and research, it has been shown just how much focus, discipline and time management it takes to succeed in both classes and athletics while also on the road. It highlights the challenges of travel, practices and keeping good grades while staying committed to your sport.
Traveling athletes
Athletes have a schedule they have to stick to, no matter how far they have to travel. Between games, practices and the trips to and from said games, it takes a lot of time and energy. Balancing school, workouts and travel all at once can be a serious challenge.
Many might say being an athlete is a privilege, but to some, it can be like a full-time job. The commitment to practice, games and academics requires just as much responsibility as any career. Success as a student-athlete takes discipline and dedication every single day.
Freshman club soccer player Jayden Grant shared just how often the team travels.
"We’ve been away at least every single weekend so far. We have six away games and four home games this year, so we’re traveling pretty often," Grant said.
There can be a lot of travel involved for sports, which can take away from both study time and personal weekends, highlighting the extra demands student-athletes face beyond the classroom.
Study life
Finding time to do schoolwork and attend classes while also preparing for an away game, especially when it involves long-distance travel, is a huge commitment for any athlete. It’s not just about the game, athletes have to plan their time carefully, manage travel, and still stay on top of their studies, which takes a lot of discipline and dedication.
Research has shown that juggling academics and athletics can be especially challenging during stressful times. One study identified how difficult the balance can be.
“The investigators reported that during periods of the academic year in which levels of perceived academic stress were at their highest, students had trouble managing sport practices and studying," a NIH study found.
Grant spends his days focused on schoolwork, and later in the day he shifts his attention to practice, giving it his full focus.
“I use my morning times for schoolwork, and then my later times are for practices. We practice at night instead of in the morning so we don’t have to miss class or school," Grant explained.
Keeping up with grades
Keeping good grades is a huge part of being an athlete. If you do not do well in your classes, you are not allowed to play, so staying on top of schoolwork is essential. Balancing practice, games and travel while making sure your grades stay up takes a lot of focus.
Junior club basketball player Walter Dear-Brown II talked about his commitment and schedule.
“Always be focused and, you know, at the end of the day, school comes first and foremost even with any activities that sports include. Always have that type of mindset beforehand just because that way when you finish school, you can focus on your other activities," Dear-Brown explained.
For athletes like Dear-Brown, maintaining good grades is not just a rule—it is a mindset. Staying disciplined in the classroom allows them to fully commit to their sport without worrying about eligibility. It is a constant balancing act, but with focus and determination, student-athletes can succeed both on the court and in the classroom.
