How to handle school and football season starting at the same time

By Mike DeVader | Posted 8/22/2017

Anticipation for the upcoming football season is high on the priority list for a lot of people across the country. If you’re a student-athlete, how do you manage the start of the school year and the new football season at the same time?

Establishing the balance between academics and athletics varies from person to person, but former National Team alum James Mayden, who is currently playing his last season at New Mexico Highlands, has some advice on how to be successful on the field and in the classroom at the same time.

“Some athletes will choose easier majors that will allow them to balance academics and athletics easier than most, and redshirting can also make the process easier because an athlete’s focus can be shifted toward academics to help establish an understanding of balance,” Mayden said. “Others have to go through trial-and-error to get a feel for how to give their all to both components in their college careers.

“I personally was a ‘trial-and-error’ guy because I played as a true freshman,” Mayden said. “I struggled trying to find a balance between my academic and athletic requirements that my redshirted friends didn’t have to worry about. On weekends where my friends could catch up on homework or sleep, I had to travel, attend extra meetings and compete on game days.”

Essentially, Mayden believes balancing everything will come down to the discipline you have to do what you’re supposed to do, when you’re supposed to do it, and in the manner in which you were taught or coached.

Mayden also breaks down his three parts to the student-athlete experience, which include social, academic and athletic responsibilities. However, a player might be able to only prioritize two of those areas.

“Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying do not enjoy the college experience by participating in various events and activities on campus,” he said. “The problems arise when athletes try to make social activities a main priority in their college experience. When athletes focus on the social lives, either athletics or academics will be negatively impacted.”

As a player, you shouldn’t worry too much about all of this or put pressure on yourself to do everything at once. One of the biggest helping factors in all of this is communication with your academic advisors and coaches because your athletic schedule is probably the easiest part to adjust to.

Once your football days are planned, everything else will fall into place.

“Head coaches are normally very proactive in getting their athletes ahead in their academics, and they generally have a great understanding of the allotted time slots athletes have between classes, practices and tutoring sessions,” Mayden said. “Even if a coach isn’t informed of a specific quiz or test for a class, the athlete will still be able to make those arrangements with open communication.”

Keep your teachers, advisors and coaches in the loop the best you can when it comes to your studies and you will find yourself successful on and off the field.

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