For high school athletes, balancing academics and sports requires discipline, time management and sacrifice. Sometimes doing what you’re supposed to do is hard after a long day of practice or a tiring game.
At St. Mark’s, where academic rigor reaches its peak, students have to accept their challenges while also maintaining a healthy balance between sports and school work. The athletic program has always held student success as a top priority, encouraging athletes to excel not only in sports but also in their studies.
The school requires a delicate act of balance that many students navigate with the support of coaches, teachers and their peers. Sophomore David Dickson has developed strong habits to straddle between both worlds.
“The best way to balance sports and get good grades is by using your time wisely; you have to know when you can chill and when you have to get to work,” Dickson said. “Having time to go to the trainers and get a lift in is an important part for me, so I try to plan out my schedule far in advance.”
As the starting running back for varsity football, starting striker for varsity soccer and defensive mid for lacrosse, Dickson values his free time and handles it with excellence.
Facing adversity is a reality for many student-athletes who balance intense schedules and high expectations. Juggling academic deadlines with demanding sports commitments can lead to stress, fatigue and even burnout.
“A big challenge I face is overload,” Dickson said. “For instance I have P.E., which takes away one of your free periods and I won’t have enough time to do my homework.”
The academic rigor here requires careful planning and nothing comes easy.
“Depending on the day there might be an hour or so of homework, but besides that it’s a good 2-3 hours so being productive is a key part,” Dickson said.
Overcoming these obstacles can build resilience, teaching young athletes to manage setbacks and gain strength during the process.