Being a student athlete at Presbyterian College is both rewarding and challenging. It’s not only about managing time, it’s also about developing discipline, resilience, and prioritization skills.
As a student athlete, your schedule is jam-packed with classes, practices, weight training, team meetings, and tons of studying. At first, it can be overwhelming, especially when you are on a team that has been nationally ranked for its team GPA (shout-out to women’s soccer). Over time, I have come to realize that being successful in the classroom can be helpful in the field, and vice versa. This might sound a little confusing to non-athletes, but it’s true. Taking care of business in the classroom makes it a lot easier to perform on the field because you aren’t stressed about what is going on in the classroom. If you are able to handle business on the field by pushing yourself to put in maximum effort, it can often become a de-stressor and a motivator to do the same in the classroom.
So what do you do if you are lost in the tornado of being a student-athlete, or worried about your future of being one? You need to learn to organize yourself. We have many people on campus who would be happy to help you with this, if needed. For scheduling, you can ask Austin Bowen. If you need help creating a study plan for a class, ask Caden Jackson. Student athletes and students in general have access to great resources and people who all want you to succeed. So when you are in the middle of the storm, reach out a hand and ask for help. Someone will always be there on the PC campus to help you make it out.
One of the most important lessons I have learned as a student-athlete at PC is to always value the support offered to you. Whether it is from professors, coaches, teammates, or everyone, support is what makes you thrive. You should also be conscious of supporting your teammates on and off the field. Again, valuing support, so that they can support you in the future.
Ultimately, being a student-athlete is one of the best decisions I have made. It teaches you not only about sports or academics but also what it means to be a professional in life. It teaches you to respect others, manage stress, set goals, manage your life, push yourself without burning out, and reach for the goals you want to achieve, because if you set your mind to it, they will become a reality. The challenge of being a student athlete has changed me for the better. I feel prepared to balance law school with a personal life and maybe even a little soccer on the side. I feel ready to take on whatever adversity comes my way because when I was learning to face adversity, I had the support of my teammates, academic staff, and coaches. I know that, whether in the classroom, on the field, or in my future career, I will be prepared to push beyond anything that tries to hold me back.
