Story By: Amber Lynch
MONTEVALLO, Ala. – Coming into college can be difficult for any student, much less if you are a student and an athlete. Athletes have intense schedules requiring them to organize and plan accordingly every day. As a student-athlete, it is important to utilize your time and prioritize what is going to benefit you.
Daily duties of a student-athlete include class, practice, advising meetings, and homework, just to name a few. Adding time to help yourself recover and reset in between isn’t always a top priority, but it is always necessary.
The University of Montevallo is a campus with an increasing number of student-athletes. The student-athletes at UM have firsthand experience and 20 of them from various teams were willing to share what has helped them most during their time as a collegiate athlete.
Here are the top five responses:
1. Family, friends and support system
For many of the student-athletes, their support system has become their top priority when navigating through college and athletics. Having someone to lean on and talk with is essential to your mental wellbeing.
“Family is important,” says Miranda Laird from women’s lacrosse, “they can always tell when something is weighing on my mind.”
Some ways to take time with these people can include phone calls, lunch dates or spending time together in general.
2. Sleep
Getting enough sleep is important for anyone, but for an athlete it is increasingly difficult to take a break and sleep. Some things that make this difficult can range from late night studying, noisy roommates, or waking up early for workouts.
“Extra sleep helps me so that I’m well rested for busy days with school and practice,” says Claire Withington, who plays on the women’s lacrosse team at UM.
The CDC recommends college students to get seven or more hours of sleep per night. To get this amount, athletes will have to prioritize taking naps and going to bed at a reasonable hour.
3. Organization and schedule making
Staying organized can be challenging with a demanding schedule.
“Organizing and scheduling has given me the confidence that I can get what I need to accomplish done and time and with the best work I can present,” says Miranda Laird from women’s lacrosse.
To stay organized and prepared, students at UM use tools such as the Falcon Success Center that aid students in many ways. The FSC can help students with time management skills, organization skills and growth mindset. Many college campuses have programs like this to help students be their best in college.
4. Coaching staff
Most student-athletes at UM also mention their coaching staff as an essential tool in their success at the university. The coaching staff at UM strives to be helpful and understanding in their student-athletes’ endeavors.
“My coaches have helped me grow into the best person I could be,” says Carson Brown from men’s lacrosse.
The coaching staff at any school will be essential to an athlete’s success both on and off the field/court. Communicating with your coaching staff will make it easier for them to help you. This can be anything from setting up meetings, texts or emails.
5. Athletic training staff
The University of Montevallo has athletic training staff that will help each team and individual recover effectively from their sport and its related activities.
“The athletic training staff has helped me in more ways than I can think of,” says Brown. “They have helped me to get better and healthier.”
Their duties to the student-athletes and their physical well-being are essential to the progression and existence of each sports team on campus. Being open and honest about soreness, aches or pain will help your athletic training staff know how to help you be your best. Athletes that hide or ignore their initial injuries end up having more pain and increased issues down the line.
Adding these tools into your daily routine as a student-athlete will be beneficial to your success throughout college. Balancing time between school and practice can be difficult coming into college. Over time there will be challenges and successes that will help you personalize your routine.
It is most important to accept the learning curve. Find what works for you as a student and an athlete.
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