Think it's tough being a student-athlete? It doesn't have to be...

Reach Out for Scholastic Support and Moral Motivation
By Feona Sharhran Huff
January 2002

The CollegeBound Network NewsClick -- There's 20 seconds left on the clock and your team is trailing by three points. It's up to you to bring home the victory. As you dribble the ball down the court, a player from the other team trips you. The ref' calls a foul and points you to the free throw line. You make the first shot -- you've got two more to go. Warning: Your shots will determine the support you get from coaches and teammates alike for the remainder of the year. Now, that's pressure!

As a college-athlete, you're going to be faced with lots of challenges -- academic, athletic, and otherwise. How you handle them will determine your success or failure. That's why it's important to be knowledgable about various strategies for making the grade on and off the playing field. Perhaps you'll even want to start by reading and embracing The Student Athlete Survival Guide by Marc Isenberg and Rick Rhoads (Ragged Mountain Press, 2001) -- especially chapter 15: "Challenges College Athletes Face."

Here's what the authors have to say:

Make friends with people other than your teammates: "When you spend time with people who have different experiences and attitudes, you receive one of the finest educational opportunities college can offer."

Be wise with your time: "If you get behind, it's hard to catch up. You'll feel overwhelmed and stressed out, and it becomes hard to have a good time -- even when you're playing sports or relaxing with your friends."

Don't cheat yourself out of an education: "All students who cheat (including non-athletes) get caught. First, you don't learn the material you'll need for more advanced courses. Second, cheaters learn to look for the easy way out of difficult situations."

Hopefully, you'll take heed to some of this noteworthy advice. And remember, when you feel like you're sinking, reach for that handy life preserver called help!