The student-athlete; one of the busiest forms of college student. Whether you are DI or DIII, all athletes know the struggle associated with balancing all aspects of their lives. One thing is for sure, naps are c-r-u-c-i-a-l. Crucial.
1. What is sleep?
Class. Practice. Workouts. Team Dinners. Games. Student-athletes need more hours in the day! Sleep is an illusive being for student athletes, and it often comes in the form of 2 p.m. naps. Ever woken up from a nap not knowing what year it was? Yeah, I bet all student-athletes everywhere could easily say that has happened to them at least once.
2. Snacks on snacks on snacks
Snacks are another critical piece of life as a student-athlete. You must stock up! You never know when the next meal is, so make sure you have an emergency stash available at all times: in your room, in your backpack, in your game bag. It could save a life.
3. Ice baths are a necessary evil
At some point, ibuprofen can't help you as you sit in your lecture unable to move your sore body. Ice baths suck for maybe the first 5 minutes, but you're completely numb after that! Even though they are a nuisance, athletes of all levels should use this method to help alleviate the pain. If your trainer is nice, maybe you'll even get a little rubber duck to keep you company.
4. Some professors will give you a hard time about leaving class on game day
While it's true we are students before we are athletes, some professors don't understand the balance we are trying to keep. Take it from a washed up athlete: you only get so many game days, my friends. So stay on top of your assignments and respectively fight to get out of class and get on the field.
5. We ALL despise our teammates once or twice during the season
It's only natural. You spend roughly 4 hours per day with your teammates, and that's not even including team meals. That equates to 28 hours per week, A.K.A. a part-time job. And man, does it feel like one sometimes...
6. But you love those teammates all the same
Even though they drive you crazy sometimes, they are your biggest supporters and probably the only people on the planet who know what you're going through. Teammates are a special breed, they are your home-away-from home. They are your family.
7. You're student-athlete days are numbered
Even though it's a struggle at times, I guarantee you will miss those hectic days running from practice to your night class with beads of sweat dripping down your face. I'd give anything to play one more game with the team pictured above. No matter where life may take you, always look back on the memories you made with your teammates and smile. Appreciate it while you have it, because you only reminisce when it's gone.
