A recent study by the GUMC has revealed that current student-athletes are twice as likely to have depression than retired college athletes. In addition, the study’s senior investigator, Dr. Daniel Merenstein, is quoted as saying that it was expected depression would likely increase once the college athletes retired, but that the reverse was true. 

Further quoted from this study is the fact that college athletes often derive their identity from sport and are set apart on campus in this status. Succinctly speaking, college athletes are at a higher risk of depression than both retired collegiate athletes and regular students. Making it through college as a regular student is tough enough as it is. The added pressure of being a collegiate athlete and playing high-level sports makes it even more stressful.  

What Stressors Does a College Athlete Face?

A college athlete is first a student, then an athlete. The athlete wouldn’t exist without the student; therefore, a college athlete must keep ahead on both academic and extracurricular fronts. Various studies focusing on depression in student-athletes (including the one by Dr. Merenstein) make a note of the following points about potential causes of stress in student-athletes:

  • Tough demands of juggling class schedules with practice or travel. 
  • Interpersonal issues with teammates, coaches, and other students. 
  • Increased practice time and fatigue, especially during competitive seasons or practice.
  • Falling behind with classwork and a failing GPA. 
  • Lack of social time with family and friends. 
  • Lack of sleep from the heavy demands of early/late practice hours and homework. 
  • The potential of losing a scholarship or being kicked out of a program due to missed GPA.
  • Injuries and loss of playing time. 
  • Pressure to perform from teammates, the school, and parents. 
  • Uncertainty about future career prospects or a future as an athlete. 
  • The fear of failure.

For students at an academically or athletically elite college or school, the intensity of these stressors could be much higher. Due to these stressors, potential health problems that could result in college students include fatigue, digestive problems, and elevated anxiety, including performance anxiety. In addition, poor performance, dwindling health, and uncertainty could lead a student-athlete into psychological distress and eventually into a mental health problem. 

7 Tips That Will Keep You Ahead as a College Athlete

There’s no doubt that the life of a college athlete, however colorful, is a hot pressure-pot that needs to be nurtured and guided. Many college athletes fall into depression even before they graduate. Some lose their scholarships, while some can’t figure out a way out of the darkness. Sport isn’t just a tool but an identity for most college athletes and something they carry as a badge of honor. 

If you are a college or student-athlete finding it hard to keep up, here are 8 tips that might help you turn that tide:

  1. Seek support from friends, families, coaches, and academic counselors. 

Seek support, especially from the academic director or life skills coach, if you feel you are falling behind in your work. They will teach you how to do your classwork (for example, how to take notes), how to be professional, and how to get your work done. You can also find help from the academic writing experts at papernow to make your work a little easier.

  1. Socialize with friends and family from time to time to ease the pressure.
  2. Do as much as it takes to make up for the missed work. 

Even better, try to hand in all your assignments on time or let the teacher know when there is a schedule conflict.

  1. Negotiating with coaches to increase your scholarship if you can improve your GPA. This will keep you motivated.
  2. Conceal your athlete status from new peers to avoid falling into the wrong crowd or getting the wrong end of the stick.  
  3. Turn to prayer, mediation, or other mindfulness techniques to help you cope.
  4. Leaving the high-pressure campus environment from time to time will make education better for you as a student-athlete.
  5. Find distractions that promote positive study habits, such as reading books in your free time instead of attending parties.  

Remember! Keep on Top of Your Grades, and You’ll Be Okay

Ensure that you make up for any lost marks and GPA points by motivating yourself to do better next time. Don’t beat yourself up if you fail, and seek help if you must. Raise points in team meetings with the coach concerning the need to unwind and relax after a tough season or the rigors of practice. Then, you will be all right!

About

Gary Toole loves to help students maximize their full academic potential through sharing his own college experiences. When he isn’t writing or coding, he shares his many other talents with his dog names Skip. 

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