As students enter the start of their high school sports seasons, it’s a busy time for students to keep up with their performance and academics. High school athletes are held to a very high standard both within their school work and being a part of their team. This can become a difficult balance for some students to find.
As student-athletes, the number one priority should be academics; however, sometimes students don’t always feel this way. Sports allow time for students to shift their focus away from school and have time to do what they love, but at times some feel like they are athlete-students rather than student-athletes at times. “I feel like we are told to uphold the standards of being a student-athlete, but at the same time, I personally find myself caring more about my sport than school sometimes because my sport is all I have time for,” varsity dance team member junior Ellie Shideman said.
With students having busy schedules, they have to find a way to get their schoolwork turned in on time. After a full day of school and practice or a game, students often have limited time to get their work done. “I try to get a lot of work done in class as much as I can. I also try to use my [free] time when I have it because if I don’t use the time I have, then I start sacrificing my sleep,” senior varsity soccer player Paige Parry said.
Sleep is a key factor to success for students when it comes to performing well in school and sports. If a student doesn’t get enough sleep one night, sometimes their focus can be compromised. “It’s hard to be able to stay consistent in my sleep routine and make sure I’m getting enough sleep. I feel like the more behind I get on sleep, the more difficult it is to concentrate and do well in school,” Parry said.
BSM has many coaches who have outside jobs, causing practice times to be catered to their work schedules rather than the most convenient times for students. “I feel very out of sorts when I go to school after morning practice. I personally don’t feel ready or in the right mindset to go to a full day of school after an hour or two of practice before school,” Shideman said.
Sometimes the overload of school and sports requires time for relaxation, but it’s not always possible given intense and very filled calendars of student athletes. When students do have time to kick back and relax, weekends are usually the only time to do so. “I love taking naps and laying in my bed, just to recuperate after a long week,” senior varsity volleyball player Erica Lee said.