In this day and age, playing sports has overpowered and decreased over the amount of effort being put towards education. Each year, more than seven million high school students participate in interscholastic sports in the United States. Student athletes have more to juggle than ever; trying to achieve success at their sports as well in the classroom.

            Many students in high school enjoy playing all types of sports, but not all of them know how to balance it out with their education. Sports are extracurricular activities, meaning that participation is optional. Although sports can be much more enjoyable than academics, school is something that students must do well in if they want to be successful in the future.

            However, as time goes by, students realize how much hard work is required when participating in a sport. If they are not able to organize their school work and their sport practices, then it could cause them to become stressed out and may also end up giving up some of their free time to catch up on school work.

            Hannah Heinz, sophomore member of the Lacrosse team, says, “It's always a lot harder during lacrosse season to keep up with school work. I usually end up having to sacrifice other things in my free time so I can catch up on school.”

            Usually, in any sport, the team practices at least twice a week and might take as long as 2-3 hours long. When the students go home they are very tired. They take a shower, eat, relax for a few minutes if they have time and then start homework immediately. As they are trying to do many things at once they still have to make room for their homework. They try to finish is as early as they can so they can sleep and wake up for school the next day.

            “Sometimes sports take up too much of your time and you lose sleep, which means you’re tired for school the next day, or just too tired to get your homework done.” Kasey Briggs, sophomore on the track team says

            However, sports can be excellent. It lets the body move and gets the students ready and awake for school. Sports can help the body physically and mentally. When one is upset they often play their favorite sport to relieve stress. It helps them feel that they can do something without worrying about anything.

            Heinz says, “It's something fun to look forward to and helps release stress.”

            As long as students are certain that they can manage daily practices on top of schoolwork they should certainly try to participate in any sports team they are interested in. Practicing sports gives students the opportunity to not only explore identities by working with other teammates, but also to discover their hidden skills.