Student-Athlete Success

It is true that a few colleges with highly competitive sports programs let a few marginal student-athletes slip by to keep them eligible to play. Studies have shown however, that the average first-year athlete does as well, or even better in college as his or her classmates. Why do student-athletes do so well considering the extra demands on them? There are many reasons:

 

They work closely with their academic advisers.

 

More than other students, they use academic support services.

 

Athletes know they have little time to waste. They apply themselves well in the limited time they have for studying.

 

They get special attention from coaches, who constantly encourage them in their academic studies.

 

Their motivation to succeed and their ability to be persistent at hard challenges help them.

 

They respond to failure and defeat by trying harder. Many students give up too easily when they encounter failure.

 

Creating Bad Impressions and Stereotypes

 

Professors sometimes have negative opinions and biases about students. Have you ever had to take a class from a teacher who had a bad impression of you? It’s no fun. Once an instructor has a negative opinion about you and your work, it is difficult to change it.

Some students however, seem to go out of their way to create bad impressions. Too often students act in ways that cause professors to believe that they are unmotivated, irresponsible, and inconsiderate. Some students act like college would be great if only they did not have to study and attend classes!

 

The negative first impressions that some students trigger in classmates and instructors frequently result in negative stereotypes that are hard to overcome. A group of college instructors were asked, “What biases do you have against student-athletes, and how did they develop?” Here is what they said:

“When students come to class wearing their sweats, they stand out from other students. It sets them up to be discriminated against by people who don’t care for college athletics.”

 

“Some athletes sit in the back of the room. Often they talk to one another during class. I assume they aren’t interested in what I have to say.”

 

“Athletes tend to sit together and seldom mix with other students. They seem to be uncomfortable with other students.”

“One athlete attends class about half the time. He never tells me why he was absent. When he learns that he has an overdue assignment, he acts as though I am being unfair because he won’t receive full credit.”

 

“I set up an appointment with two players. They walked in 45 minutes late, so I couldn’t do much for them. Then they asked if they could see me the next day.”

 

“Some students who are athletes never ask questions. I wonder if they read the assignments.”

 

“Several athletes frequently miss my Friday class. They assume I know their schedule. They come in on Monday and mention they had a game. Why not let me know beforehand?”

 

“One athlete drags himself to my eight o’clock class and falls asleep at least once a week. Having him sleep in class is a bit of a distraction.”

 

“One athlete turned in a paper that looked as though it was scratched out on a note pad while he was watching television. The paper was wrinkled.

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Making the Grade: 12 Promises to Keep

 

The following promises which you can make to yourself will ensure your continued success and eligibility in college. Keeping these promises will also ensure that you do not develop bad habits or encourage the development of negative stereotypes toward athletes.

I promise to attend every class. If I have to miss a class, I will talk to the professor before my absence. If I miss a class by accident or because of an emergency, I will talk to the instructor before the next class period and apologize for my absence.

 

 

*I promise to get notes and important material for any class that I miss from a responsible student before the next time the class meets.

 

*I promise to be on time for every class. When I am late, I will apologize to the professor after class.

 

*I promise to talk with my coach and adviser frequently about my progress and difficulties.

 

*I promise to be totally honest in these discussions, knowing that they are here to help me.

 

*I promise to remove any hat or headgear I am wearing before class starts.

 

*I promise I will not eat or drink in class.

 

*I promise to bring my textbooks, paper, and a working pen to every class.

 

*I promise to go to each class prepared. This means that I will have all

assignments, including the readings, completed before the class starts.

 

*I promise I will not sit in the back row of the class.

 

*I promise to ask my professor for help at the first sign of difficulty.

 

*I promise to ask for, and take advantage of, a tutor or other help at the first sign of difficulty.

 

ELIGIBILITY

 

Academic eligibility is checked twice: prior to the start of the fall semester, and prior to the start of January Term, which is part of the spring semester.

 

In addition, student-athletes must meet all NCAA eligibility requirements, including being a full-time student. At PBA, the student-athlete must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits to be considered full-time.

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Preparing a Practical Time Budget

 

Efficient time budgeting requires systematic planning. Your schedule must be both realistic and practical. It must be sufficiently flexible to handle challenging requirements and be balanced between practice, academic work, and relaxation. For best results, follow this sequence in preparing your schedule. Keep in mind this schedule is for your benefit alone. If you find that you are unable to follow it, then change it to fit your needs.

 

-Record your fixed time commitments. Write all your regularly scheduled activities such as classes, labs, church services, work, games and practices, etc. on your schedule.

 

-Schedule daily living activities. Set aside ample–but not excessive–time for eating, sleeping, working out, etc.

 

-Schedule study time. Be sure to write the name of each course in all time periods set aside for studying. Do not just write down “study.” The more specific you are in designating your study periods; the more likely you are to follow the schedule. Some ground rules:

 

-You should minimally study the same number of hours a week in which you are registered. For example, if you are registered for 15 hours during the semester, you should set aside at least 15 hours a week for studying. [Many instructors suggest two hours of studying for every hour you are in class.]

 

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-No single study time should last longer than two hours. You will find that you learn better in three one-hour sessions than in one three-hour session.

 

-Your studying should always take place between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. Some

Students feel they are “night owls” and are most productive after midnight. But research on memory and concentration disputes this assumption, even for people who believe they are more effective during early morning hours.

 

-Seventy-five percent of your studying should take place between Monday

and Friday. Do not fool yourself by believing you will study 15 hours over the weekend...it simply does not happen! If you are carrying 15 hours, you should plan to study at least 11 hours during the week. Besides, our bodies and minds need a chance to relax on weekends.

 

-Schedule relaxation and recreation time. Set aside regular time for dating, watching your favorite TV shows, attending campus concerts and other events. Putting these activities into your schedule allows you to enjoy them “guilt free” because you know you will get your other work done as scheduled.