Balancing School and Sports

Lily+Grimes+trains+for+her+volleyball+season.

Madi Spencer

Lily Grimes trains for her volleyball season.

Madi Spencer

Student Athletes: Balancing School and Sports

By: Madi Spencer

 

Student athletes choose to play sports as well as take on challenging classes at the same time. While balancing school work, projects, homework, and college applications, they are also expected to win games, give their all in practice, and work towards their goals in their sport. All of this can be a lot of pressure on a teenager.

 

Field Hockey player at Oakdale, Edie Marsh, explains “I stay motivated through my team. I think about my team and how far we can get into it (the game).” Motivation is an important factor for any student athlete. Having a good attitude and a drive is important for both athletic and intellectual success.

 

Student athletes practice almost everyday and sometimes even on weekends, depending on the sport. Practices are usually right after school, requiring the student to stay at school for 8 to 9 hours at a time. After a long day of school work, this can be a lot of strain on a student.

 

Volleyball player, Sydney Katz,described “I do homework during dinner and before games so then I can get pumped for game time with my teammates.”  Having a game and homework is a difficult balance, but Katz proves it is possible to be an excellent student and athlete; it just requires hard work and determination.

 

Most people don’t understand the requirements and responsibilities of being a student athlete. It requires being determined throughout both school and practice, and remaining completely disciplined and focused.

 

With taking such difficult classes,and with Oakdale’s intense sports, students at Oakdale are put under a lot of pressure. However, many student athletes are able to maintain good grades and help lead our teams to playoffs or states almost every year.

 

Balance is key to a student athlete, and Oakdale athletes have proven they can handle this balance well, and strive for greatness.