The Delicate Balancing Act Between School and Sports for D1 Athletes

Balancing school and sports as a Division I athlete requires discipline, mental fortitude, and often, late nights with little rest. Student-athletes at the University of Nevada say the workload both on the field and in the classroom can be overwhelming. For junior women's soccer forward Charlotte Bonney, one of the hardest parts is staying mentally present in class after long training days. “You end up being so drained physically and mentally that it’s hard to focus sometimes,” Bonney said. She added that frequent travel for away games makes it easy to fall behind academically. Building strong communication with professors and classmates, she said, has become essential to keeping up. Junior forward Olivia Loomis faces a similar challenge. Majoring in public health, Loomis said the science heavy coursework can be difficult to balance with soccer’s demanding schedule. “I try to finish assignments early so I can actually relax at night,” she said. Staying organized and creating daily to do lists, she explained, helps her manage the stress. Defender Natalie Borba said the experience of being a Division I athlete is both rewarding and exhausting. “It’s taught me time management,” Borba said. “But it can definitely get overwhelming.” For Nevada athletes, the demands extend far beyond the field. Between classes, practices, film sessions, and travel, the mental strain often rivals the physical one. Still, many say the experience teaches resilience and balance, skills that will last long after their college careers end. Reporting by Ally Larkin