If you are going to play sports while attending university, then you need to choose a school where study and sports can be balanced.

Student-athletes need to be prepared to make sacrifices as they have tighter schedules than those students who don’t choose sports. If you are intending to major in something that is time consuming, be prepared to find that the demands of both sports and study will stack up high. You will be traveling and coaches will demand a lot out of you during practices. However, even though it may seem scary, don’t opt out and take a light load of classes for convenience. One problem that happens in many college teams is “clustering”. This is when a group of student-athletes major in the same thing so as to have a light study load. Surveys show that more than 40% of student-athletes cluster to make more time for sports.  The problem with this is that they’ve chosen to prioritize their sport over their studies and haven’t chosen a field of study that really reflects their individual non-sport interests.

Break the stereotype of the “dumb jock.” The NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) has low standards for student-athletes. An article in USA Today showed that athletes only need to complete 40% of their degree course work by the end of their sophomore year, 60% the following year and 80% senior year. However, you don’t have to be one of these statistics. You can push yourself without breaking yourself to the point of giving up.  Communicate with student-athletes at the campuses you are considering and ask them how they balance their sport and study efforts.

If turning pro is your career goal, it is important still to have a backup plan. Less than ten percent of college athletes go on to the NFL, NBA, MLB, etc. I’m not saying you should give up, instead I am saying be realistic so that if things don’t go how you expect them you still will have a degree that can help you attain a job that you will enjoy and that will help you provide for yourself and a family.

Be the first to break out of the mold and set high standards. Don’t be easily swayed by peers to aim low and forget your college studies just so you can focus on the sport. Find a mentor that will keep you accountable to giving your all in the field and the classroom.  Most coaches will support you because they want to see you succeed in both areas. Choose a college where student-athletes have found strategies to excel on and off field.  Then prioritize and do your best and you will get what you want while playing sports in college.