Being a student-athlete means living in two demanding systems at the same time. One revolves around practices, lifts, meetings and competition. The other revolves around classes, assignments, exams and deadlines that don’t move just because your athletic schedule is full. Sometimes these two systems align. Most of the time, they don’t. 

Here’s how Linfield student athletes work to balance both worlds: 

Planning ahead before the week takes over 

A major part of balancing athletics and academics is by planning ahead before schedules get overwhelming. One strategy student-athletes use is organizing their week around fixed athletic commitments first, then building academic work around them. Games, practices and travel are non-negotiable, so coursework has to be flexible around those demands. 

“I usually look at practices, lifts, meets and games first, then build schoolwork around those times,” said Davidson Kathman, a sophomore marketing major who competes in both soccer and track. 

Student-athletes learn how to use the gaps between commitments to get things done. If they have an hour between class and practice there’s a perfect opportunity to get some schoolwork in instead of putting it off. Using either a digital or physical calendar and mapping out assignments at the beginning of each week helps them visualize deadlines and remember what to work on each day. 

“I am a huge believer in using my weekends and built-in breaks to study,” said Georgia White-House, a junior biology major and member of the cheer team. “If I end up taking a later class some mornings, I’ll wake up at the same time and go study instead. It makes it easier to wake up early, and I can get so much done.” 

Communication 

As well as planning ahead, student-athletes make sure to communicate with both coaches and professors ahead of time. 

“I try to communicate with professors on the front end,” said Chase Bennett, a senior finance major on the basketball team. “Most professors have been very accommodating in cases when communication was on the early side.” 

If they’re going to miss class due to travel or competition, athletes let their professors know in advance. Reaching out early to explain schedules or ask about deadlines shows responsibility and makes professors much more willing to work with you.

Using support systems 

Here at Linfield, student-athletes rely on a variety of campus support systems to help manage academic demands. When they need a quiet place to study, they often use Nicholson Library, campus Starbucks or outdoor study spaces. 

The Library is also home to the Writing Center, which provides support for essays and writing assignments, while professors’ office hours offer opportunities for extra help outside of class.

In addition, student-athletes have access to academic advising for course planning, tutoring services for specific subjects, and career development resources for resumes and internships.

For student-athletes, these resources are often less about convenience and more about necessity. With tight schedules and constant time demands, having structured academic support helps ensure they can stay on pace even during their busiest weeks of the season. 

Setting boundaries 

“Sometimes you have to say no to the function,” said Parker Vale, a sophomore nursing major on the women’s soccer team.

Many student-athletes often feel the need to say yes to everything. While it’s important to be social and spend time with friends, it’s just as important to know when to say no. With such a busy schedule, their time is limited and sometimes schoolwork has to come first.

On busy exam weeks or during tight deadlines, it becomes important to remember that academics are a priority. Saying no isn’t a bad thing, it can be a form of discipline that allows student-athletes to focus on long-term goals. 

As White-House puts it:

“Remember that you are a STUDENT-athlete. You can have 2 of the ‘3 S’s’ to be successful in college: school, sports or social. Taking on all three can lead to burnout.”

This mindset reflects the idea that balance can sometimes mean sacrifice. Choosing when to prioritize rest, academics or social life is part of learning how to manage a packed schedule effectively.

Using your teammates for accountability 

One of the most helpful strategies is creating study times with your teammates. Since they already spend so much time together, it makes sense to hold each other accountable academically as well. Many athletes on campus would say a strong academic culture within their teams, where success is celebrated both on and off the field. Teammates check in about classes, remind each other about assignments, and often study together during busy parts of the semester. 

Working together during travel or after training makes schoolwork feel a lot more manageable. When teammates hold each other accountable, it creates a culture where academics are valued as just alongside athletic performance. Because athletes are not working alone it makes it easier to stay motivated and consistent. That shared accountability helps turn success into a team effort in every aspect of college life.

Managing energy, not just time

Balance isn’t only about time, it’s about energy too. After practice or training, mental focus is often limited. That’s where procrastination becomes more likely, especially when we tell ourselves we’ll “do it later” after resting. Athletes try to prioritize harder academic tasks earlier in the day and use lighter work for later hours when energy is lower. 

Recovery is also a large part of managing energy. Both physical and mental rest are essential for staying healthy and performing well. Coaches often emphasize recovery after training and games because it directly impacts focus, energy, and overall performance. 

Recovery also goes beyond sleep, including taking breaks and stepping away when feeling overwhelmed. Without that reset time, constant pressure can lead to burnout, fatigue, and lower performance in both academics and athletics.

Why it matters

There’s a shared understanding among student-athletes that everyone is balancing the same two worlds. Even when it feels overwhelming, there’s something comforting about being surrounded by people doing the same thing. 

Balance isn’t about completely eliminating stress or conflict between academics and athletics. It’s about learning how to keep moving forward, even when both worlds compete for your time and energy. 

 Most importantly, student-athletes should remember that they are people before they are athletes. It can be very easy to tie identity entirely to a sport, especially when so much time and energy are devoted to it. However, self-worth is more than athletic performance. There will be times when things don’t go as planned, which is why having a sense of self outside of athletics is so important.

“It’s easy to tie your identity only to sports, but being an athlete is just one part of who I am,” said Kathman. “I’m also a student, friend, and person with goals outside athletics.”

White-House shared a similar perspective:

“Cheerleading attracts bright, smiley people, so rather than taking over my personality, cheer funnels it in a really productive way.” 

Outside of athletics, White-House is also involved in Alpha Lambda Delta, the ALSU Senate and volunteers in her free time. 

“Creating identities outside of athletics helps a lot too. Having those outlets helps me balance my focus across my passions.”

Investing in academics, relationships, and personal interests can help create a healthier balance. Being intentional with each responsibility and recognizing the effort it takes to balance both worlds matters, because succeeding in academics and athletics at the same time is no small task.