#ChooseDay: Advice to Student Athletes

Being a student athlete comes with many challenges as one tries to balance being a professional athlete and staying comitted to your studies.

To help us unpack this mission, we have roped in three athletes who graduated from their respective tertiary institutions and managed to keep up with their studies along their sporting journey.

Commonwealth Games gold medalist and award-winning judoka, Michaela Whitebooi who gratuated from University of Pretoria, says: “Time management was very important to me. I created competition and camp plans for judo along with my study plans. I would train and immediately go to class after that. I would compete and complete a test abroad. It is all about prioritizing what task is more important at that current moment.”

While, University of Johannesburg Ladies Football Club goalkeeper Elizabeth Mazivise adds: “Finding the right balance between school and sport: So in order to feel “balanced” you need to be on top of both your academic and sport performances. Firstly, you are a student before you are an athlete so your academics come first.”

“Always ensure you prepare for assessments the same way you would prepare for a game – well off in advance and *Do not Procrastinate* it only leads to more unwanted pressure later on and then things will clash (tests and game preps) and it can be overwhelming. You need to focus on what is important at that time (especially in terms of due dates) and the more you are organised the more efficient you will be with the little time you have,” she continued.

“On the sports field and in your own free time, make sure you catch up on any missed training sessions (due to academic commitments) so that you are on par with the team. This helps you not be behind when it comes to squad selections, etc.

“Things that contribute to finding a balance: Having enough rest (sometimes you won’t find enough time to sleep but it is really important to rest your mind and body). You need to have a good diet – replenish energy stores for physical performance but also for your brain as well.

“Use the support systems that the university offers for example psyched… athlete support (sport psych). In essence, it requires a lot of discipline and professionalism and commitment  honestly and it’s not easy but I managed to juggle school, working full time for La Masia and playing in the highest league – so it is doable!”

South African Women’s Hockey player, Charné Maddocks echoes Mazivise’s sentiments, saying: “My advice to student athletes for a balance between sport and academics would be to start off by making sure you have a daily routine. I believe there is a time and place for everything. This goes well with being an athlete and student as there is time for training and a time for studying.

“All you need to do is plan accordingly. Work according to your plan as there is no place for procrastination. Time management is important as you need to have your priorities straight as we each set out goals that we would love to achieve. Most important would be to enjoy what you are doing, as it will make things much easier for yourself,” she concluded.

Photo 1 Caption: South African Women’s Hockey player Charné Maddocks during her graduation ceremony at North West University Potchefstroom. Photo: Supplied (Charné Maddocks)