For anyone, starting university is a significant step in their lives and personal growth. I've always felt is a milestone in someone's transition from teenager adult. It can be a daunting and challenging experience for anyone as they try and figure out the field of study that will influence their future career choices. Add to this, perhaps moving away from home, living on their own and probably most significant, having to career the financial burden of paying for school. However, what happens if on top of all those factors, an individual isn't just a student but rather a student-athlete. Having the chance to play a sport in university is an exciting opportunity. But being a student-athlete can seem a bit overwhelming then individuals first arrive on campus for their freshman year. Not only do they have to adjust to a new environment with new responsibilities, but also have to add in being an athlete with new teammates as well. Regardless of the sport, as a varsity student-athlete, they are going to be very busy. A typical day may look something like this: wake up and eat breakfast before classes, go to classes, find time to eat lunch, go to afternoon practice, eat dinner before study hall, go to study hall, go back to the room for more homework/studying/ then go to bed. Social time or hanging out with friends is often at a premium. I actually had a former student-athlete tell me that they schedule themselves 30 minutes a day for a bath and even the occasional nap just to make sure they could enjoy them. Then the next day, it is wake up and do it all over again! If I use this winter's schedule, we train at 8.15 once a week some for those athletes who don't have class, it means getting up earlier than they might have and getting into the complex. During the season, they also have to account for games (including travel time to and from), team meetings, and time with the athletic trainer, if needed. Don't even get me started about those athletes who have to squeeze in part-time work or internships into the equation. The hardest part for many, is getting through all the challenges in the first year. Like many things, if you get through the initial part, establish a routine and most importantly do so successfully, the challenge seems less difficult and coping skills are developed. So, how does a 1st year student athlete get through that all important first year. Based on my 16 years coaching at the university level, these are some thoughts on it. One thing you that is important to figure out is how to balance academics, athletics, social activities, and other commitments. During the playing season, maintaining the balance will become more challenging, due to the demands on time. One of the biggest challenges faced is time management. This is a crucial skill that on a very positive note will serve the student-athletes well not just in university but long after their playing days are done.. At times it will seem that 24 hours aren’t enough time in the day to accomplish everything to get done. But with structure and organization, it is much easier to manage time effectively. Taking the play to document a planned schedule, will allow them to keep up with academic responsibilities, athletic commitments, work schedule (if applicable), and social life. Having structure and plan will help stay balanced and on top of things. Of course the most important factor all student-athletes need to remember is that if they are not doing well academically, they could lose their eligibility and ultimately a spot on the team. It might go without saying, but attending classes is the most important thing about being in university. It all starts there. If a student falls behind in the reading, doing the work etc, then they will find themselves in catch up mode. This is tough for anyone, but for a student-athlete with a demanding schedule, the time to put in extra required study time is difficult. Class is where you will acquire valuable information from professors that can't be obtained just from reading the course textbooks. This is particularly important because a student-athlete will inevitably miss some classes anyway due to games and traveling during the season. It also allows the student-athlete to make contact with other students who can provide support and help, a resource to share class notes, or a willing study partner. We encourage our student-athletes to make sure to talk to and stay in contact with their professors. It is much easier to request an exemption for an exam or extension on an assignment, if the professor knows the student-athlete and have been given a heads up in advance when they might have to miss class due to athletics. There are tools and resources available via universities and in most cases, university athletic departments will also have support services, such as tutoring, to help all students. However, there are also additional support services specifically in place for student-athletes. For example, some academic advisors work primarily with student-athletes and are accustomed to the specific challenges they face. These athletics specific services are there to assist with things such as selecting the appropriate courses and eligibility requirements.Tutoring centers, study halls, and priority class registration are additional resources for student-athletes. Some schools even have special dieticians and trainers on staff for student-athletes. However, it has always been my philosophy that it is up to student-athletes to advantage of them or at a minimum not be afraid to ask for help when they are feeling overwhelmed. Most importantly in my opinion, It is extremely important that student-athletes, take on the lifestyle and all that it encompasses when they choose to be a student-athlete. It starts by making sure to take care of themselves by eating right and getting plenty of rest, trying not to skip any meals and if at all possible, eat at least three a day. There will be days that it will seem difficult if not impossible to take the time to eat—and eat well—but it is crucial that they do so. If finding the time to sit down for a meal, then it is important to try snacking on fruits and vegetables until time is available. Food is the fuel needed to stay energized not just throughout the day but through your practices and games as well. Getting a full night’s sleep whenever possible is crucial With all of the running around required of student-athletes, rest while it comes at a premium sometimes serves both the recover the body but also as a mental break from all the obligations. Getting an adequate amount of sleep is not only necessary for performing in the classroom and on the playing field but also for simply being able to remain healthy. Most successful student-athletes would probably agree that although being a student and an athlete in university is not easy, it is definitely a rewarding experience that not many people get to have. It comes with many rewards and benefits but these are always going to be balanced with responsibilities. It will demand student-athletes make some tough decisions and certainly in the busiest of times, require them to put all social activity on hold. However, from experience, once they have gotten through it once, and seen the benefits of managing their time and energy properly, they can thrive.
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AuthorAfter many years of coaching at various levels and with different teams, I thought I would share some of my experiences and thoughts about coaching. Archives
January 2023
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