College is a difficult journey for everyone consisting of countless hours of homework, studying, and projects due. This is without mentioning having a social life, and like many college students today, having a job as well. Another aspect of a college student’s life is sports. Many play a sport and want to pursue their dream of playing a collegiate sport, however this seems like a daunting task with everything that is already going on in a student’s life. From homework to friends and family to work, where does a collegiate find the time to squeeze in a sport with practice every day?

Former soccer player Travis Chang spoke on the challenge of playing sports in college.

“Playing sports and going to school is pretty hard because I work at the same time,” Chang said.

Although it seems impossible, student-athletes find a way to go to school full time while also maintaining a good enough GPA to be eligible to participate in their school’s sports. This seems exhausting, but it motivates and creates great satisfaction in those student-athletes.

Sophomore Vika Jimenez, a kinesiology major and shooting guard for the Skyline basketball team, finds it very satisfying to be doing this.

“I stay motivated by accomplishing daily goals and workouts that I set out for myself,” Jimenez said. “I stay motivated because I want to make it out of the neighborhood that I live in, and I don’t want to add to any minority statistic.”

He is determined to play his sport while also passing all of his classes in order to move on after Skyline. Jimenez is a prime example of how rewarding and motivating it is to be able to succeed as a student-athlete.

On the other hand, there are many students out there who may play a sport but don’t think they’ll be able to manage both school and athletics.

Although the challenge is tough, the potential upshot makes it worthwhile.

“I would recommend to other students who are interested in taking part in sports while being in school to be aware of time consumption and responsibility,” Jimenez said. “What you do with the rest of your free time, will dictate how successful you in completing both.”

Joe Morello, Dean of Kinesiology, Athletics, and Dance at Skyline College, agreed with this sentiment.

“I think the students tend to actually do a little bit better while they are playing,” Morello said. “I think it forces you to manage your time effectively than what you do when you aren’t playing.”

Those who are on the fence of joining a sport must be mindful that it is a difficult journey that takes a lot of time and planning in one’s day. It is important to be able to balance out your school life and your athletics as well.

“Although it may seem overwhelming to do, it is well worth it because you have fun, stay fit, and it keeps you out of some of the troubles in our society,” Jimenez said.
The life of a student-athlete is surely stressful. However, the most important thing to keep in mind is your goal and the satisfaction you will receive from being successful in both.