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Slam Dunk: How Academic Advisors Can Best Support Student-Athletes

Basketball on the gym floor

Being a college student-athlete comes with unique challenges that require balancing academic responsibilities, athletic commitments, and personal well-being. 


Here are some common challenges faced by college student-athletes:


  • Time Management: Balancing rigorous athletic training schedules with academic coursework can be challenging. Student-athletes often have limited time for studying, attending classes, completing assignments, and participating in extracurricular activities.

  • Academic Pressure: Student-athletes are expected to maintain high academic standards while also excelling in their athletic endeavors. Academic pressure can be intensified by travel for competitions, missed classes, and demanding training schedules.

  • Financial Stress: Despite the time and effort devoted to athletics, many student-athletes do not receive full scholarships or financial aid packages. Financial stressors such as tuition costs, living expenses, and limited job opportunities can add to the pressure of balancing academics and athletics.

  • Social Isolation: The demands of athletics and academics can limit opportunities for socializing and building relationships outside of the team. Student-athletes may feel isolated from their peers, especially if they are unable to participate in social events or extracurricular activities.

  • Identity and Transition: For many student-athletes, athletics is a central aspect of their identity. Transitioning from high school to college athletics can be challenging, as student-athletes navigate new academic expectations, social environments, and levels of competition.

  • Travel and Missed Classes: College athletics often involve travel for competitions, which can result in missed classes and academic assignments. Student-athletes must communicate effectively with professors and academic advisors to manage their academic responsibilities while traveling.

  • Career Planning: Balancing athletic commitments with career planning and professional development can be challenging for student-athletes. Many student-athletes aspire to pursue careers in professional sports but must also prepare for alternative career paths after college.


Recognizing these unique challenges faced by student-athletes, it is vital for academic advisors to understand how to best support them.

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College academic advisors can best support student-athletes by understanding their unique needs, challenges, and goals and providing tailored guidance and support.


Here are some ways academic advisors can support student-athletes:


  1. Build Relationships: Take the time to get to know each student-athlete individually and understand their academic, career, and athletic aspirations.

  2. Provide Academic Planning: Assist student-athletes in developing personalized academic plans that accommodate their athletic schedules and long-term career goals. Help them select courses, plan their course load, and navigate academic requirements to stay on track for graduation.

  3. Flexibility and Accommodations: Be flexible and accommodating in scheduling advising appointments to accommodate student-athletes busy training and competition schedules. Offer virtual advising options or extended advising hours to provide accessibility for student-athletes.

  4. Time Management Support: Help student-athletes develop effective time management skills to balance their academic and athletic commitments. Provide strategies for prioritizing tasks, managing deadlines, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

  5. Monitor Academic Progress: Regularly monitor student-athletes academic progress and provide proactive intervention and support to address academic issues and prevent eligibility problems.

  6. Encourage Goal Setting: Encourage student-athletes to set academic and career goals and develop action plans to achieve them. Help them identify short-term and long-term goals, establish milestones, and track their progress over time.

  7. Promote Career Development: Support student-athletes in exploring and planning for post-graduation career paths beyond athletics. Provide guidance on internships, job shadowing opportunities, resume writing, and networking to help student-athletes prepare for life after college athletics.


By implementing these strategies, academic advisors can play an essential role in supporting the academic success, personal development, and overall well-being of student-athletes throughout their college experience.



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