Balancing it all: How hard is it to be a student-athlete?
Have you ever struggled with balancing your social life and outside responsibilities? USAFacts stated, “In 2022, 53.8% of children aged 6–17 played sports.” This includes club activities and after-school sports. This story affects any child who plays a sport while also going to school and trying to maintain a social life. As athletes, we put so much time into extracurricular activities, whether it be soccer, football, basketball, band, cheerleading, or dance. It can be overwhelming at times and even make us feel alone, or does it?
I have been playing sports since I could walk. First, it was swimming, then volleyball, basketball, and soccer. Freshman year of high school, I had to choose one of the sports to commit all of my attention to. I ultimately ended up choosing soccer as my main sport. I have had a lot of ups and downs in my soccer career, and still have a lot to go. Right before tryouts, I snapped my arm in two during practice. I was devastated. I was trying out and ended up playing club soccer at the best women’s programs in the country. They don’t expect perfection, but they expect you to put in the effort and do what needs to be done. For myself, that meant three team practices a week, plus goalie training twice a week, and having a personal trainer, all while trying to maintain a social life with my friends, family, and having a relationship. Relationships in any form are hard while trying to focus on yourself too. I have been in a relationship for a lot of my life, where he also plays club sports full-time. Sometimes you need to sacrifice time with each other or your friends to commit time to your sport. I would stay at practice until 10:15 pm while still having a 30-minute drive home afterward. I have sacrificed dances, dinner dates, missing my family activities, and holidays.
On the other hand, I have gained so many good skills. I have gained my life-long best friends, traveled the world, and gained so many experiences. While going to school full-time, and playing soccer for three different teams, I also have a part-time job on the weekends that I commit time to. With all of this going on in my life, I still make time for my relationships, friends, and family. It is all about where you decide to commit your time to. That is my personal experience with sports and social life balance. You have to sacrifice, but ultimately it is possible to balance everything.
I felt it was only right to reach out to other people and get their opinions on balance and what they go through. Senior, Kenzie Simpson stated, “I think I’m maintaining my sports and social life balance very well, I’ve made a schedule for myself to allow myself to know when I have time for soccer and time to hang out with my friends.” I have been playing soccer with Kenzie for years. We can relate heavily to having to make time for people, while also committing everything to sports.
BHS Senior, Cami Clement is an athlete and it definitely affects her social life. She went deep into my first point that there is so much we need to sacrifice, but also choosing what we do with our spare time. Clement said, “I tend to miss out on social things because of all my other commitments, but in my free time I try to spend it with my friends. Balancing school has been tough at times, like finding time for homework, but I always get it done whether that’s late nights or working during downtime at school.” Cami plays volleyball while also maintaining a job and spending time with her friends and family.
Every person has such different experiences with work, sports, family, relationships, or accidents that suddenly happen. Making your mental health a priority and things important to you really make the difference. I have the biggest support system ever, and they make it possible for me to be able to balance everything. I wouldn’t be able to do it without them. Don’t be afraid to talk to someone or reach out to others experiencing the same issues as yourself. You are not alone. No matter what you are going through.
