ENZYK Blog 15
Balancing Academics and Athletics: A Guide for College Athletes
Being a college athlete is about more than just excelling on the field—it’s about thriving in the classroom too.
College athletes face a unique challenge: balancing the demands of high-level sports with the rigors of academics. Between practices, games, classes, and study time, it can feel like there are never enough hours in the day. But with the right strategies, you can excel both as an athlete and a student.
In this post, we’ll break down how college athletes from various sports manage their time effectively, stay on top of their studies, and still perform at the highest level in their sport. Plus, we’ll provide a DIY time management plan to help you stay organized and stress-free.
The Challenges College Athletes Face
Being a student-athlete is a balancing act. You’re expected to train like a full-time athlete while maintaining the responsibilities of a full-time student. Here are some of the most common challenges you’ll face:
Time Management: With early-morning practices, late-night games, and travel for competitions, finding time to study and complete assignments can be tough.
Physical and Mental Fatigue: Intense training and competition schedules can leave you exhausted, making it harder to focus on academics.
Pressure to Perform: College athletes often feel pressure to succeed both on the field and in the classroom, which can lead to stress and burnout if not managed properly.
How College Athletes Manage the Balance
Let’s take a look at how athletes from different sports balance academics and athletics.
1. Team Sports: Football and Basketball
Athlete Example: Myles Garrett (Football)
NFL defensive end Myles Garrett was not only a standout on the football field at Texas A&M but also a strong student. Garrett managed his time by prioritizing academics during non-peak practice times and using travel time to study. He also communicated regularly with his professors to ensure he stayed on top of assignments during football season.
How to Manage the Balance: In team sports like football or basketball, practices and games often take up large chunks of your day. Create a study plan that fits around your training schedule, and don’t be afraid to use study sessions on the bus or plane when traveling for away games.
2. Endurance Sports: Cross Country and Swimming
Athlete Example: Katie Ledecky (Swimming)
Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky balanced her academic workload at Stanford University with her intense training regimen. Ledecky was able to maintain her academic success by staying organized, planning her schedule far in advance, and working closely with academic advisors to manage her course load.
How to Manage the Balance: Endurance sports like swimming and cross country require long training sessions. The key is to stay organized and plan your week in advance. Identify time gaps in your day—like between classes or after practice—when you can squeeze in study sessions or homework.
3. Strength Sports: Wrestling and Powerlifting
Athlete Example: Kyle Snyder (Wrestling)
Olympic gold medalist and three-time NCAA champion Kyle Snyder excelled in both academics and wrestling during his time at Ohio State. Snyder managed the balance by treating his academic schedule like his training—setting clear goals for study sessions and focusing on completing tasks with the same intensity he brought to the wrestling mat.
How to Manage the Balance: Strength athletes often have early-morning and evening training sessions, leaving the middle of the day free for classes. Make use of the time between training sessions to tackle homework and study for exams. Set specific goals for each study session, just like you would for your training.
4. Speed Sports: Track and Field
Athlete Example: Sydney McLaughlin (Track and Field)
Olympic hurdler Sydney McLaughlin balanced her track career with academics while attending the University of Kentucky. McLaughlin managed her time by keeping a detailed calendar of practices, meets, classes, and assignments. She prioritized her most important academic tasks during times when she had the most energy.
How to Manage the Balance: Speed athletes like sprinters need to find a balance between training, competition, and recovery. Keep a detailed schedule and prioritize your most important academic work during the times of day when you feel most focused and energized.
5. Combat Sports: MMA and Wrestling
Athlete Example: Daniel Cormier (Wrestling)
Former Olympic wrestler and MMA champion Daniel Cormier juggled a demanding training schedule with academic responsibilities during his time at Oklahoma State. Cormier’s success came from his disciplined approach to time management—he treated study time like a training session, focusing on completing specific academic goals each day.
How to Manage the Balance: Combat sports require a mix of strength, conditioning, and skill training, which can leave limited time for studying. Treat your academic work like another training session: set clear objectives, minimize distractions, and focus on completing tasks efficiently.
DIY: Time Management Plan for College Athletes
Here’s a DIY time management plan to help you balance academics and athletics. This plan will help you stay organized and on top of your responsibilities, no matter how busy your schedule gets.
Use a Weekly Planner
Write out all of your commitments for the week, including classes, practices, workouts, and study time. This will give you a clear visual of your schedule.
Block Off Study Time
Identify gaps in your day when you can dedicate time to studying. Aim for 1-2 hours of focused study time per day. Treat these study blocks as seriously as you treat practice.
Plan Your Week in Advance
Each Sunday, look at the week ahead and plan out when you’ll tackle your assignments and study for exams. Break down big projects into smaller tasks and spread them out over the week.
Use Travel Time Wisely
If your sport involves travel, use bus rides, flights, or downtime between events to catch up on reading or review notes.
Communicate with Professors
Keep an open line of communication with your professors. Let them know ahead of time if you’ll be missing class for a game or competition, and ask for any assignments in advance.
Prioritize Sleep and Recovery
Don’t sacrifice sleep for more study time. Getting enough rest is crucial for both athletic performance and academic success. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night to ensure you’re performing your best on the field and in the classroom.
Common Time Management Mistakes for Student-Athletes
Even the most dedicated college athletes can fall into time management traps. Here’s what to avoid:
Procrastinating: Waiting until the last minute to complete assignments or study for exams leads to unnecessary stress. Use your weekly planner to tackle tasks early.
Overcommitting: Don’t try to do everything. If your schedule becomes too packed, learn to say no or ask for help when needed.
Skipping Recovery: Pushing through fatigue to complete assignments can hurt both your academic performance and athletic recovery. Prioritize recovery and sleep to stay sharp in both areas.
How College Athletes Across Sports Balance Academics and Athletics
Here’s a quick look at how athletes across sports manage the demands of being a student-athlete:
Football players like Myles Garrett use travel time and consistent communication with professors to stay on top of assignments.
Swimmers like Katie Ledecky plan their schedules far in advance to ensure they meet academic deadlines without sacrificing training time.
Wrestlers like Kyle Snyder treat their study sessions with the same focus and intensity as their training.
Track stars like Sydney McLaughlin maintain detailed calendars to juggle practices, meets, and academic responsibilities.
Final Thoughts: Balancing Academics and Athletics
Being a college athlete requires discipline, time management, and organization. By creating a weekly plan, setting clear goals, and staying on top of your responsibilities, you can excel both on the field and in the classroom. Remember, your time as a student-athlete is about building habits that will serve you well throughout your athletic and academic career.
Bonus Tip: Try a 7-day time management challenge. For one week, plan out your days in advance using the DIY time management plan. Track how much time you spend on academics and athletics, and adjust your schedule as needed to maximize productivity and reduce stress!
