by Spencer Robinson

From seven hours of school to two hours of practice then finally to homework, athletes go through more than what most people wouldn’t expect. Whether it’s on or off the court, young athletes of any sport silently struggle day to day with the heavy burden of being a “student athlete.”

“Pressure to achieve certain goals that come from the athlete themselves or by coaches and parents can lead to dissatisfaction or feeling as if you need to please everybody,” said Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Also, some student athletes may find it hard to make time for academics while also making sure they stay on top of their grades.

“S.A.I.S.” states “Athletes are driven, focused, goal oriented, and high achieving individuals. Qualities that help them excel at sports and in the classroom are also qualities that drive anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns.”

In these cases some student athletes may feel hopeless or even alone. Others find ways to cheer themselves up and motivate themselves.

“Penn State Pro Wellness says that it’s important to set goals for yourself when you feel down and also distract yourself with other activities to get your mind away from the stress of living a student athlete’s life.

Penn State Pro Wellness

• Set goals for yourself
• Participate in other activities outside of sports
• Have emotional support by friends and family
• Start your day with a positive attitude 

At such young ages athletes burn out or just overall lose interest in their sport because they may feel like it’s too much for them or they can’t find the time to get everything done.

After uncovering the unseen struggles an athlete goes through on a day to day basis you can start to understand that it takes a strong and motivated person to play sports.