The educational system for a student-athlete is quite more complicated than that of an average student who wants to be done with high school, get into the college of their choice, and settle for their life-long dream job. A student-athlete has to put in twice more effort than that of a regular student to keep chasing their dreams (going professional in their selected area of sport). Let us know WHY SHOULD STUDENT ATHLETES GET GOOD GRADES?
At most, 2% of all high school student-athletes make it to the professional level after being given the opportunity through a college scholarship, which can be full-time or part-time. Most of the athletes who don’t make it need to obtain good grades so they can have a shot at a more successful career after school where they won’t be at a disadvantage, especially those on scholarships.
Moreover, those who seek to keep their dreams alive need to keep pushing. Each school has its own set of unique conditions and requirements for student-athletes. from its grading system to its selection of core courses and extracurricular activities in close proximity to the selected sport.
All student-athletes should have good grades. It’ll be of an advantage to them in the long haul whether they are scouted professionally or not.
Who is a Student Athlete?
A student-athlete is a student or participant enrolled at an educational institution, principally colleges and universities or high schools, who participates in an organized and competitive athletic program offered and sponsored by the school. They are simultaneously full-time students and athletes. Colleges often offer athletic scholarships in most sports. Several student-athletes are given scholarships to attend these institutions, but scholarships are not mandatory in order to be called a student-athlete.
Steps to Keeping a Good Grade
- Having like-minded friends
Birds of a feather flock together. Friends in the same pod are best suited to understanding each other properly. be it from a black, Asian, or Hispanic community. Their like-mindedness and common interests with you will always keep you afloat while aiming for your goals.
- Have a flexible schedule.
Everyone has a daily schedule or list of activities they run, including student-athletes, which might probably look like this:
6 am
Your day gets an early start. Most athletes get some of their training before their first class begins. You’ll probably grab something within your diet plan to snack on.
7–9 a.m.
A typical morning training session includes drills, running, or other workout activities. You might work out on your own or with your coach and teammates, depending on the sport you play.
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
You’ll probably attend most of your classes during this time. In college or high school, your class schedule will have a series of variations from day to day. On some of the days, you might have at most a class or two. The rest, you’ll have more or none at all for certain circumstances.
3–5 p.m.
You’ll likely have practice at this time, especially when your school sport is in season. Take a quick break and prepare for the next day.
Lectures and sports are the two top priorities for student-athletes. With that, it is imperative a balance is kept between the two. Go to classes when it’s time, never miss a workout routine, and turn in your project when it’s due. These are a few activities amongst the many related to these priorities. An imbalance in one disrupts the other. Always do the needful and keep the balance.
- Understanding the System
As earlier said, every school has its own conditions and requirements in place for all sorts of students. Failure to meet that condition or requirement might lead to the forfeiture of your admission.
According to Whyy, “The National Collegiate Athletic Association will not allow students to play sports unless they meet the required GPA and standardized test scores.” This gives coaches no other choice but to take athletes with good grades. The kids that are chosen by their coaches are privileged to play because of their grades, which might seem unfair to good student-athletes with poor grades.
Conclusion
Student-athletes need to keep their grades up while in sports, be it in the light of going professional or not. It speaks to the best of them as school representatives and as individuals. Scholarships are gotten through hard work and dedication. Keep on fighting for your dreams. They’ll eventually work out if you don’t give up.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are academics really necessary for school athletes?
Yes. Academics or schooling over the years has been a platform for learning, acquiring knowledge, socialization, and laying a good and better foundation for the future. In the process, the students are examined or given tests of knowledge by the system to show or prove how far they’ve come and how far they’re willing to go. Hence, the apparent need to get a good grade. Moreover, it is quite an opportunity for young student-athletes to be scouted by other professional teams.
2. What is the minimum GPA a student-athlete needs to have?
According to the National Collegiate Scouting Association (NCSA), the minimum GPA of 2.3 and an SAT of 980 or an ACT of 75 or a minimum of 2.2 GPA and an SAT of 900 or an ACT of 68 sum score is to be considered for both Division I and II levels on a 4.0 GPA scale. Source: www.ncsasports.org
3. Should students get good grades to play sports?
Yes, students should get good grades to play sports, especially as student-athletes. The combination of academics and full-time athleticism can be time- and breath-consuming; thus, good grades are required before and while participating in sports.
4. Are scholarships essential for student-athletes?
Yes, they are. Be it a part-time or full-time scholarship, they’re quite essential and of great value to a student-athlete. They reduce a certain amount of stress when it comes to the financial well-being of the student. As I said earlier, juggling academics and full-time athleticism can be stressful, but having a scholarship, be it part-time or full-time, is gold in the lake.
