Written by Ignacio Domingo, a sophomore mechanical engineering major, who is an international student from Spain, a member of the men’s soccer team and a Rowan Blog contributor.
Competing in any NCAA sport can be compared to having a part-time job in terms of hours a week. In addition to this, we are also required to go to class, study and do our homework to be able to play. So our schedule is always full and chaotic because the times for practices and games usually change depending on the week.
As you can imagine, the life of university athletes is always busy. Because of that, most of us prefer as many online classes as we can. Why?
Because you can do your assignments whenever you have a gap in your schedule. Even more, you don’t have in person classes, so you won’t miss a lecture if you are traveling for a game. Flexibility is a further significant aspect. You have the ability to balance your academic obligations with your athletic commitments thanks to online learning. For instance, taking an online course eliminates the anxiety of missing a lecture or losing attendance points. Instead, you can watch the recorded lesson or complete an online discussion whenever you’re free. All of these things add up to significant benefits for student-athletes.
Online Classes Reduce Stress for University Athletes
Additionally, taking classes online reduces stress. It’s easy to feel pressured when you’re balancing two full-time obligations: being an athlete and a student. It’s easier to manage such stress when you can pace yourself with an online course. Assume you have two practices a day and three games for the upcoming challenging week. Knowing that your coursework is accessible 24/7 gives you some peace of mind. You don’t need to rush from practice to class, sweaty and exhausted, trying to focus while your body is telling you to rest. Instead, you can go home, take a shower, eat and then study when your mind is more prepared.
Build Skillsets for the Real World Through Online Classes
Another key point is how online learning promotes independence and responsibility, two values that every athlete already understands. Self-discipline has become inherent in athletes. We follow rest periods, gaming plans, diets and workout routines. A similar level of discipline is needed for online learning. Nobody is always reminding you to attend class or do your tasks. You must manage your time properly, keep track of deadlines, and get in touch with your instructors when something unexpected occurs. In this way, online courses help university athletes become even more prepared for the real world, particularly if they intend to make careers in sports or assume leadership positions after graduation.
Online Classes Improve University Athletes’ Mental Health
The benefits of online learning for mental health are another frequently ignored aspect. Burnout can result from constantly hurrying from one place to another and not taking time for yourself. We can maintain control over our day when we take classes online. We can take a break if we’re feeling emotionally or cognitively worn out and return to the content when we’re feeling better. Having that kind of flexibility can have a significant impact on someone’s mental health, particularly during a demanding season that is full of travel, injuries and pressure.
Stronger Academic Performance In Online Classes for University Athletes
In fact, some university athletes do better academically when taking classes online. It may be simpler to concentrate and engage when there aren’t the interruptions of a crowded lecture hall or the anxiety of raising your hand in front of other people. A lot of internet platforms provide more comfortable ways to communicate, such as sending private messages to instructors, posting video comments or writing in forums. These choices boost our self-confidence and let us express ourselves in ways that may not always be possible in face-to-face situations.
Online Learning Here to Stay Post-COVID
Additionally, the pandemic demonstrated to the world that online education is a long-term academic instrument rather than simply short-term fix. Both instructors and students quickly adjusted to new platforms and techniques throughout COVID-19. Student-athletes continue to gain from many of those systems, which are still in use today. Schools now have better support systems for online learners, more resources, and more faculty training. Everyone benefits, particularly students with unpredictable schedules.
Online Learning Works for Many Subjects
Of course, online learning isn’t perfect, and it doesn’t work for every class. There are certain courses such as labs, studio work or group projects that really benefit from face to face communication. However, online choices are frequently just as efficient for general education classes or lectures that don’t require a physical presence. These days, a lot of instructors incorporate multimedia resources such as films, animations, discussion boards and interactive tests that genuinely aid in learning in many ways. Therefore, the notion that online courses are “easier” or “less serious” is untrue; rather, they represent a new learning method that better fits the schedules of athletes.
Do More, Not Less, Through Online Classes
In conclusion, university athletes prefer online learning because it allows them to do more, not because it allows them to do less. The goal is to balance academics and athletics without compromising either. Maintaining balance in our busy lives requires the flexibility, autonomy and control that online learning provides. For the majority of student-athletes who want to succeed in the classroom and on the field, online learning will remain the best option as long as support is available and educational quality is maintained at a high level.