In the competitive world of high school athletics, the spotlight often shines on physical performance and achievements, but behind the scenes an issue emerges. Most student athletes are goal-oriented, focused, and driven individuals, but with the already-given stress of being in school and the large workload, the added pressure of athletics can weigh down student athletes even more.
On the flip side, some athletes feel in season is the best time to stay on task and organized. With having a set in stone schedule, student athletes are forced to prioritize and organize assignments, while also juggling practices and games.
“I think that participating in a sport does help me stay on top of work. However, even though I do have a good schedule, it is still stressful to get everything done on time”, said soccer captain Phoebe Wilkes (11).
Striving for athletic and academic excellence over everything, these student athletes balance both on their shoulders. With “Student” coming first, these athletes must take care of the classroom before everything. Some student-athletes find this extremely challenging as practices take up much time after school and throughout the week, taking away time from their academic studies and social lives.
Many athletes see their self-esteem and self-worth plummet as these can be determined by their playing time and success on the field or court. Student-athletes are under tremendous pressure as they are constantly evaluated by coaches, scouts, teammates, and most importantly, themselves. This pressure leads to increased levels of anxiety.
Sophomore Kayla Keefe experienced an unfortunate ACL injury in the fall. Keefe will have to sit out the rest of her varsity basketball and softball seasons this year. Even though Keefe is not playing, her time is still taken up with her recovery.
“Tearing my ACL has definitely impacted my mental health but, I’ve learned that everything happens for a reason. Although it’s hard now, it only makes me stronger. Some days I have no motivation at all ,but I never knew how strong I was until I saw how far I’ve come”, said Keefe.
Another huge part of high school sports is the college recruitment and committing processes. As student-athletes navigate the world of recruitment, expectations, and performance, the toll on their mental health may continue to grow. For many, the dream of playing sports at the collegiate level drives their passion throughout high school. However, the journey to securing a spot on a college team isn’t as easy as it may look.From attending showcases and tournaments, to maintaining good grades, student-athletes face a long list of demands that can be extremely overwhelming. Making sure you find the right balance at such a competitive level means acknowledging the struggles and putting yourself first.
“In college,I plan to create an agenda everyday to make sure I keep up a steady balance both academically and athletically. Also making sure I surround myself with people that will make me feel welcomed and happy at my new school”,said Chatham University baseball commit Evan Swift (12).
Although striving for good mental health as a student athlete can be challenging, there’s always someone in your corner, resources, teammates, coaches, and friends.
