There are many benefits (and only a few disadvantages) to being a Student-Athlete at the Collegiate Level.
Here are a few:
Development of Work Ethics and Leadership Skills
Since playing a sport in college is like having a full-time job on top of going to school, student-athletes are forced to develop a strong work ethic as they learn to manage their classes and their athletic obligations.
This makes them more desirable in the workforce where employers seek out young adults who can balance rigorous academics alongside extensive practicing and competing.
Leadership skills, discipline, and teamwork are additional attractive and employable proficiencies that student-athletes develop while being a part of a team.
Learning to compete as a team and developing a mindset that puts team before self are qualities that are most often fostered within the confines of college athletics.
Lifelong Friendships with Teammates
College is a time and place for the cultivation of friendships that last forever. And college sports teams take bonding to the next level.
Not only are student-athletes placed in an instant peer group, which some might argue allows you to skip that awkward initial stage of not knowing anyone and having to stumble along looking for new friends, but they are also set up to bond immediately through team-building activities, competitions, and travel.
Student-athletes are surrounded by teammates for much of their non-class time, and most take advantage of being with peers who share their passion for [insert sport here] and grow in friendship and respect due to their commonalities.
Athletes have highs and lows, victories and losses, good times and bad, and it’s those shared experiences that often create and strengthen lifelong bonds between teammates.
Academic Resources and Privileges
It’s in an institution’s best interest to help its students, including its student-athletes, to succeed, and coaches and sports programs are especially concerned about providing every opportunity for their athletes to thrive.
So, it’s very common for universities to have special tutoring and study sessions for their athletes and prioritize their needs over those of regular students.
In addition to receiving first pick of classes, student-athletes often get top-notch advisors and access to state-of-the-art technology to ensure they accomplish all that’s needed to be successful in their studies and remain in their sports program.
Smaller schools may have few academic resources, but since they are small, the coaches are typically in close contact with professors and made aware when their student-athlete’s grades are slipping.
Better communication and one-on-one meetings with coaches and advisors are often more available and convenient at smaller universities.
Student-athletes have a higher graduation rate than non-athletes, and over 80% of Division 1 athletes receive bachelor’s degrees. The NCAA has academic support systems in place to ensure its athletes excel in the classroom as much as the court, field, or track.
The average GPA of student-athletes was 3.56, while the average GPA of non-athlete-students was 3.40.
Health and Wellness Programs and Gear
Coaches want their athletes to succeed, so it’s not uncommon for them to provide regular workshops, private training, sports gear, and body treatments, including ice baths and massages, to keep them in good shape.
Some colleges even provide meals and snacks free of charge to ensure their athletes are getting the calories they need to perform well.
Injuries are taken seriously, and coaches become advocates for their athletes, making necessary phone calls and getting appointments that might not be readily available to non-athletes.
The NCAA provides medical insurance and trainings on mental health, sexual assault prevention, concussions, etc.
Disadvantages to being a student-athlete include the following.
Student-athletes are at a higher risk of injury.
Student-athletes often get less sleep due to an abundance of responsibilities.
Student-athletes can feel like they have less freedom to do what they want.
Student-athletes may struggle academically.
Student-athletes occasionally miss out on social activities.
