"NAVIGATING THE ACADEMIC ARENA - INSIGHTS INTO THE DUAL LIVES OF

STUDENT-ATHLETES"

A QUALITATIVE RESEARCH PAPER

Present to
The faculty of the DOLOGON NATIONAL HIGHSCHOOL, DOLOGON, MARAMAG,
BUKIDNON

Anthony Ruiz
Joshua Miles Torayno
Rexcy Yvone Lubos
Kent Mark Vidal
Introduction

The world of student-athletes is one that often requires the

navigation of two distinct, yet interconnected domains: academics and
athletics. Balancing the demands of both can present a unique set of
challenges. Student-athletes must excel in their sports, often with the
pressure of scholarships or professional aspirations, while also keeping up
with their academic responsibilities to ensure they maintain their eligibility
to compete and prepare for life after sports.

Despite the significant number of student-athletes in schools and

universities, there is a comparative lack of research exploring the unique
experiences and challenges these individuals face in balancing their dual
roles. The physical achievements of student-athletes are often celebrated,
but their academic journey, the strategies they employ to balance their
commitments, and the support they receive in their academic endeavors
often remain in the shadows.

This study, "Navigating the Academic Arena - Insights into the Dual Lives of
Student-Athletes," aims to shed light on these underexplored areas. The
research will delve into the experiences of student-athletes, with a focus on
their academic journey, the strategies they use to manage their dual roles,
and the support they receive from schools, coaches, peers, and family. By
doing so, this study hopes to provide a more comprehensive
understanding of the dual lives of student-athletes and offer insights that
could lead to better support systems for these individuals.

Statement of the Problem

While the physical prowess of student-athletes is often celebrated, their

academic achievements and struggles can be overlooked. The lack of
understanding and support for the dual lives of student-athletes can lead to
increased stress, burnout, and decreased academic performance. This
study aims to explore the experiences of student-athletes, with a focus on
their academic journey and the strategies they use to balance their dual
roles. Statement of the Problem

Student-athletes are often caught in a challenging balancing act, managing

the demands of both their academic and athletic commitments. This dual
role can lead to a variety of issues, including time management difficulties,
academic stress, athletic burnout, identity conflicts, and mental health
concerns.

Despite the significant number of student-athletes in educational

institutions, there is a lack of comprehensive research exploring these
unique challenges and the strategies student-athletes employ to navigate
their dual roles. Much of the existing research on student-athletes has
focused on their athletic performance, with less attention given to their
academic experiences and the support they receive in their academic
endeavors.

Moreover, the support systems currently in place in many educational

institutions may not adequately address the unique needs of student-
athletes, potentially leading to decreased academic performance,
increased stress, and lower overall satisfaction with their university
experience.

This study aims to address these issues by exploring the academic

experiences of student-athletes, the challenges they face in managing their
dual roles, and the strategies and support systems that aid them in their
journey. The findings of this study could provide valuable insights for
educators, coaches, policymakers, and the student-athletes themselves,
ultimately contributing to the development of more effective support
systems for this unique population.

Objectives of the Study

The main objectives of this study are to understand the experiences of

student-athletes in balancing academic and athletic commitments, to
explore the strategies they use to navigate their dual roles, and to identify
the support they receive from their schools, coaches, and peers.
Objectives of the Study

1. To understand the unique challenges student-athletes face: This

includes exploring the difficulties they encounter in balancing their
academic and athletic commitments, the pressures they face in both
domains, and the impact of these challenges on their mental and physical
health.

2. To explore the strategies student-athletes employ to manage their dual

roles: This involves identifying the methods they use to balance their
academic and athletic commitments, including time management
techniques, stress management strategies, and approaches to maintaining
their physical and mental health.
3. To examine the support systems available to student-athletes: This
includes investigating the academic and athletic support services provided
by educational institutions, the role of coaches and teammates in providing
support, and the impact of family and peer support.

4. To assess the effectiveness of current support systems: This involves

evaluating whether existing support services and strategies adequately
address the unique needs of student-athletes and provide them with the
necessary resources to successfully manage their dual roles.

5. To provide recommendations for improving support for student-athletes:

Based on the findings of the study, this objective involves suggesting ways
to enhance the academic and athletic support services available to
student-athletes, with the aim of better assisting them in navigating their
dual roles.

Significance of the Study

The findings of this study could provide valuable insights for schools,
coaches, and policymakers on how to better support student-athletes. It
could also contribute to the literature on student-athletes, filling a gap in
our understanding of their academic experiences. Significance of the Study

The study holds significant value for various stakeholders in the academic
and athletic fields.

1. For Student-Athletes: The study provides insights into the unique

challenges faced by student-athletes, which can help them understand
their experiences better and equip them with strategies to manage their
dual roles more effectively.

2. For Educators and Academic Institutions: The findings can guide

educators and academic institutions in developing policies and programs
that address the specific needs of student-athletes, ensuring they receive
adequate academic support while fulfilling their athletic commitments.

3. For Coaches and Sports Organizations: The study can help coaches
and sports organizations understand the academic pressures faced by
student-athletes, enabling them to provide more holistic support that
considers both the athletic and academic aspects of student-athletes' lives.

4. For Parents and Peers: The research can also inform parents and peers
about the unique challenges faced by student-athletes, helping them
provide more empathetic and effective support.

5. For Future Research: The study can serve as a foundation for future
research on the experiences of student-athletes, contributing to a more
comprehensive body of knowledge on this topic.

Overall, the study's findings could lead to improvements in the academic

and athletic support systems available to student-athletes, ultimately
contributing to their success both on the field and in the classroom.

Background of the Study

Student-athletes lead dual lives, balancing the demands of both academic

and athletic commitments. This unique lifestyle can present a range of
challenges, from time management and stress to identity development and
role conflict. Despite the large number of student-athletes in schools and
universities, there is a lack of research exploring their experiences and the
strategies they use to navigate their dual roles. Background of the Study
Student-athletes represent a unique population within the educational
system. They are tasked with the challenge of excelling in both their
academic and athletic pursuits, often under the scrutiny of their peers,
coaches, and the broader community. This dual role can present a variety
of challenges, from managing time effectively, to dealing with the pressures
of performance in both arenas, to maintaining physical and mental health.

In the athletic domain, student-athletes are often expected to train

intensively and compete at high levels, with many hoping to secure athletic
scholarships or pursue professional sporting careers. In the academic
domain, they are expected to keep up with their coursework, maintain
satisfactory grades, and prepare for future careers, especially as a very
small percentage of student-athletes go on to play sports professionally.

Despite the significant number of student-athletes in educational

institutions, there is a lack of comprehensive research exploring the unique
experiences and challenges they face in managing their dual roles. Much
of the existing research on student-athletes has focused on their athletic
performance, with less attention given to their academic experiences, the
strategies they employ to balance their commitments, and the support they
receive in their academic endeavors.

This study aims to fill this gap by exploring the academic experiences of
student-athletes, the challenges they face in navigating their dual roles,
and the strategies and support systems that aid them in their journey. This
research is important as it can provide valuable insights for educators,
coaches, policymakers, and the student-athletes themselves, ultimately
contributing to the development of more effective support systems for this
unique population.
Scope and Delimitations of the study

The study will focus on student-athletes in higher education institutions. It

aims to explore the unique challenges these individuals face in balancing
their academic and athletic commitments. The research will delve into the
strategies student-athletes employ to manage their dual roles and the
support they receive from various sources, including schools, coaches,
peers, and family. The study will involve a diverse sample of student-
athletes, covering various sports, academic programs, and backgrounds to
capture a broad range of experiences.

Delimitations of the Study

1. Focus on Higher Education: The study will specifically focus on student-

athletes in higher education institutions. This means that the experiences
of student-athletes in other settings, such as high schools or professional
sports, will not be covered in this study.

2. Selection of Participants: The study will deliberately select a diverse

sample of student-athletes, aiming to include individuals from various
sports and academic programs. However, the experiences of student-
athletes not included in the sample may not be represented in the study.

3. Time Frame: The study will be conducted over a specific period and will
therefore only capture student-athletes' experiences during this time. Long-
term trends or changes in experiences over time will not be explored in this
study.

4. Research Methods: The study will use both quantitative and qualitative
methods to gather and analyze data. Other research methods, such as
experimental designs, will not be used in this study.
These delimitations are intentional choices made to define the boundaries
of the study and focus the research on specific aspects of the experiences
of student-athletes. Despite these delimitations, the study aims to provide
valuable insights that can inform the development of more effective support
system for student-athletes.

Definition of terms

Student-Athletes: Individuals who are enrolled in an Dologon National High

School (usually a school or university) and are also participating in
organized sports sponsored by that institution.

Academic Commitments: Refers to the responsibilities related to a

student's educational pursuits, including attending classes, completing
assignments, studying for exams, and maintaining satisfactory grades.

Athletic Commitments: Refers to the responsibilities related to a student's

participation in sports, including attending practices, participating in games
or competitions, maintaining physical fitness, and adhering to team rules
and expectations.

Dual Roles: Refers to the simultaneous roles of being a student and an

athlete that student-athletes must manage.

Navigating: In this context, navigating refers to the process of managing

and balancing the demands of being a student and an athlete.
Support Systems: Refers to the resources and individuals that provide
assistance and support to student-athletes, including academic advisors,
coaches, teammates, friends, family, and institutional support services.

Time Management: The process of organizing and planning how to divide

one's time between specific activities, in this case, academic and athletic
commitments.

Stress Management: The techniques and methods used to handle stress,

particularly chronic stress, in relation to both academic and athletic
commitments.

Role Conflict: A situation where a person is expected to fulfill the roles of

two or more statuses (in this case, being a student and an athlete) that
carry conflicting expectations.

These definitions provide a clear understanding of the key terms used in

the study and ensure that readers interpret the findings in the intended
context.