Student first, Athlete second: Where to Go Now?

Being a student-athlete comes with its challenges and responsibilities. It is often glorified as an achievement to be a part of any sports team, but what people often overlook is the significant academic load that comes with it. Balancing both sports and academics can be extremely challenging, and it is important to prioritize one over the other. It is important to be a student first, then an athlete, when being a student-athlete. The primary reason for this is that the main purpose of a college education is to acquire knowledge and skills that will eventually help students succeed in their careers.
Participating in sports is an excellent way of building teamwork skills and discipline, but it should never surpass the significance of academics. Moreover, the academic load of college courses can be strenuous, and student-athletes are expected to keep up with the curriculum while contributing to a sports team. It is often required that student-athletes maintain a certain grade point average to be eligible for playing their respective sports, and this is a testament to the importance of academics over sports. In addition, education is more sustainable than sports in the long run. Athletics is a temporary phase, and it can end abruptly due to injuries or personal circumstances. At the same time, a college degree is a permanent asset that will stay with you for the rest of your life. A degree opens several doors of opportunities and provides a solid foundation for a successful career. In conclusion, being a student-athlete is a privilege, but it comes with significant responsibilities.
While participating in sports can teach discipline, teamwork, and other essential skills that are useful in life, being a student must come first. The primary function of a college education is to develop an individual’s intellect, and pursuing sports should only complement or enhance that pursuit. It is crucial to understand that our academic pursuits are the primary keys that will unlock the doors to our future success. As graduation approaches for these student-athletes, it should not be taken lightly. As previously stated, having an education is vital to the future success of these athletes. The goal for most athletes is to make it to the big leagues, but in reality, the odds are low.
Across all sports, under 5 percent of student-athletes make it to the big leagues. However, that doesn’t mean that the player’s career is over. That degree has opened up more opportunities than ever. Sports have several avenues within it like: business, coaching, recruiting, marketing, training, medicine, and many more. The best thing for these student-athletes is the degree and experience they received. These players are smart enough to be the next Nick Saban or Bill Belichick. These same athletes can become future team owners or representatives. These same players can be the next great sports agent. The job opportunities revolving around sports are why the time spent wasn’t a waste of time.
Most importantly, these student-athletes didn’t become a statistic in a jailhouse. They all earned a fair shot at a future. In addition, the players who want to make it to the professional league, there are more than just the NFL, NBA, WNBA, and MLB. There are several side leagues to get into and build yourself up, like the XFL and USFL. Yes, the chapter is closing on college, but it is the beginning of a successful life. Once again, that degree matters in the end because that can’t be taken away. The future is bright for every athlete or person that walks across that stage because not everyone can do what every graduate achieves. Finally, as graduation season has arrived, congratulations to every athlete, and may the future be bright.