Busy schedules. Early mornings. Late nights. Stress. These are all familiar parts of life for student-athletes trying to balance extracurriculars with academics.

High school athletics provide students with a variety of benefits and opportunities, including the chance to earn athletic scholarships, stand out in college admissions, and stay physically healthy in a fun and structured environment. Although the advantages of participating in sports are numerous, the drawbacks are often overlooked.

“Anxiety is usually the most common mental health challenge,” West Chicago Community High School athletic trainer Tom Wolfsmith said. “The pressure of being a student-athlete can leave them feeling overwhelmed in their lives and affect both academic and athletic performance. Mental health awareness is a big part of the world and very prevalent in high school sports. Being able to face those challenges will lead to positive growth in academics and athletics.”

Student-athletes often struggle to maintain the same composure as their peers while juggling schoolwork and sports. From sunup to sundown, students are left exhausted by the end of the day, with little to no energy for homework. The demands of always being at 100% in the classroom and at practice can negatively impact mental health, leaving students feeling burnt out.

Signs of burnout among athletes can include:

• Long-term fatigue – Overtraining can cause athletes to feel constantly tired, even when they get enough sleep.

• Frequent injuries – Without proper rest and recovery, injuries become more likely.

• Poor school performance – When training dominates a student’s schedule, classroom focus can slip, causing grades to decline.

Although it is important for students to learn how to manage stress and develop healthy habits, it is equally important for student-athletes to understand that they can – and should – seek support. Balancing school, sports, and rest is a necessary skill, but one that requires guidance and resources.

“Most of the time athletes can be overwhelmed. The pressure in either academics or athletics can build up and start affecting the other side. When that does happen, you can see a decline in one or both. That is why understanding and working on mental health is a key to student-athletes and their performance,” Wolfsmith said.

Another issue prevalent in student-athletes is sleep deprivation. Morning practices before school or games that stretch late into the night often disrupt a student’s sleep schedule. These irregular hours make it difficult to transition back into the “student” side of being a student-athlete when trying to complete homework or study for important tests.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average high school student needs at least eight hours of sleep each night for proper health and recovery. Yet with a seven-hour school day followed by a three-hour practice, student-athletes are often left with only six hours to complete schoolwork, attend jobs, and maintain a social life.

With such demanding schedules, students can easily become overwhelmed. The solution starts with ensuring that the school has systems in place to support and equip student-athletes for success. This could include more frequent check-ins from social workers and counselors or increased access to academic support opportunities with flexible hours for athletes.

While some believe student-athletes need greater support for their mental health, others argue that balancing school and sports is a beneficial challenge. They believe student-athletes develop stronger work ethics by striving for excellence in both worlds. Participating in sports can also lead to future opportunities, such as scholarships, and helps students stay in shape. Sports programs teach important qualities such as sportsmanship, teamwork, and discipline – traits that help build character.

Although learning to balance academics and athletics teaches valuable life skills, schools must ensure that student-athletes are not left to navigate these pressures alone. Strengthening mental health supports, expanding academic resources, and promoting healthy rest habits would help athletes maintain both their performance and their well-being. Student-athletes should feel empowered to seek help when they need it, and the school should actively create conditions that make that possible.