Student Athletes Mental Health Issues

Many people believe that students that are involved in a high school sport affect their grade and test scores. At most high schools in America, sports are very popular and an important role in a student’s school years. High school sports have a positive impact on students and schools everywhere. Students have a better chance in succeeding in school while playing in a high school sport. First, high school sports are positive because it has great impact on both the student’s education and sports participation.

Being a college athlete and balancing the daily commitment of practice along with school work, is not something that everyone can do. I 've been able to balance all this while excelling on the track, and more importantly, in the classroom. In July of 2015, I was honored for my excellence as a student-athlete, by being

Stressed out people block off their basic communication skills and become unreceptive to ideas, suggestions and even tender, loving care”(Sydney). Stress is unhealthy; the negative effect stress puts on the body can affect how an athlete’s perform. When athletes are performing at their peak it makes for a much more exciting game, which essentially would lead to colleges making more money. Athlete 's from any sport, at any level of play put their bodies on the line time after time. Too many colleges view the athlete 's body as an asset, a way for them to make more money.

Students athletes are having their mind and body exploited with all the different activities they go through everyday. Being a college student and an athlete at the same time is not easy, they have too much things to do besides having classes. According to Oliver, a college athlete 's day consists in the following: waking up early in the morning to do exercise, then go to class, after class there is practice, next go get a quickly eating (if possible), later attend to practice, and finally the student athlete has to make sure to finish all the homeworks and work behind for the classes. Hence, a day is just not enough for college athletes to accomplish all those obligations they experience; “sometimes they don’t even get to eat anything throughout the day or before going to bed” (Oliver), however they still have to go practice or play in a game without having the energy necessary. But, what are they receiving back for having their mind and body exploiting?

Lastly, Intense athletic conditioning can effect their social life negatively. When athletes train too much and too hard they usually do not have time to socialize with their friends. A good example of this, is the story of a Chinese gymnast, Cheng Fei. She worked intensively, daily, leaving her with no social life. In The article "Chinese Gymnast Endured Childhood Sacrifice" written by David Barboza, it states "At the Wuhan institute Of Physical Education, she joined a large group of child athletes in a sports program that required them to follow rigorous training routines"(Barboza, pp3, paragraph 2).

In 2012, Nike released a product and with it, the following advertising slogan was unveiled, “Life is a sport, make it count!” While the product in large part fizzled, the catchphrase continues to inspire athletes of all ages to stay busy with physical activity. For many senior athletes, this motto serves as a central theme in the decision process to pursue a sport at the college level. Although there are many critical crossroads that occur during the senior year of high school, none is more challenging than the resolution to invest the significant amount of time that is required of a college athlete. While there are numerous ways that a student can make “their sport count,” most credit the decision to the financial benefit package, prestige

Game day has finally arrived. College scouts watch every move the varsity athlete makes, the plays he executes, and how much pain he can endure. As if nerves are not enough, the athlete has just finished a strenuous workout in gym class. For years, varsity student athletes have tried to balance school, sleep, sports, and homework. Participating in gym causes unnecessary stress and strain on an athlete 's body and mind.

Primarily, people argue that colleges are a place meant solely for learning; rather, students who dual sports and schooling tend to have better time management and learn necessary life skills. The average graduation rate of athletes triumphs over the typical graduation rate of most colleges. Similarly, some argue that schools are forced to compromise academic standards for athletes, but coaches often urge schoolwork as the top priority. In fact, to remain eligible, college athletes must maintain their GPA’s. Finally, many argue that college sports disadvantage those students who don’t participate; however, college sports create a sense of pride and bond together the entire population of students.

Furthermore, the pressure that can come with sports can lead to stress. One piece of evidence, 68 percent of moms polled say their children’s involvement in youth sports causes stress in for them. (Sports Can Cause Students Stress, I9 SPORTS ASSOCIATION, 2013) This clearly shows that because sports cause pressure, kids are stressing. Continuing, In a series of studies conducted at UCLA, Drs.

College athletes can put as many as 60 hours a week at games and practices (Majerol 15). This causes the athletes to put less of a focus on their school work to focus on their athletics. Many of the top athletes never even finish their degree after playing for four years (Cooper 12-13). College athletes are encouraged to sign up for easier classes. They attend “independent study courses” that involve very little work to pass the class (Neuhauser 11).

There are various aspects of an athlete's life that can prompt stress at definite times. This may emerge due to commitments in the areas of study, sport or family/social life. Finding the healthy balance is the key, as without balance, variations within what is being prioritized only add

Comparing Sources of stress in college student athletes and non-athletes. Retrieved September 15, 2011, from Athletic Insight:

These physical stresses can end up causing a substantial amount of mental stress that eventually effect student athletes academically. While struggling to be the best they can be in the class room and off the field, student athletes make millions of dollars every year for their given universities and create a name for their school which creates more incoming freshman every single year. Student athletes sometimes are labeled as lazy in the academic field, however they are graduating at a higher rate than ever while top football schools are on top of graduating rates across the nation. Student athletes do have a lot more benefits than those of the normal student life, but these benefits are created to the amount of work put into their universities. While doing so much for their schools, student athletes are only allowed a certain amount of money and rights, while not having the security of an employee of the university.

As a full time student athlete I am constantly reminded that school comes first either by my coaches, parents, or teachers at school. Its really important to me to succeed in school not only to make my parents proud but also so I know at the end of high school I won’t regret anything and all my work will finally pay off. I know it is extremely hard to manage your time as a student athlete, but I also know that anyone is capable of doing it. It hard being a student a student athlete because unlike the regular student population I can’t go home right after school and start on all my assignments because I have practice for two to four hours a day everyday and if I don’t have practice I have a game and I am lucky to get home before sundown.

Are you a student athlete and feel like your crazy everyday schedule is to hard to manage at times? Do you feel like you never get enough to eat? Do you feel like your social life suffers tremendously because you are constantly on the road, at practice, or in the training room? Or are you just a typical everyday student who just frankly suffers from all of the above? Being a student athlete I believe that I have a tougher day than the typical everyday student.