Study hard, play harder: The student-athlete, self-care life

ALONG the school halls of learning, the classroom is where lessons are taught on the chalkboard and tests are taken on paper. But apart from the academic side of things, other students are eager for a more mental and physical challenge–sports.

These are no ordinary individuals but are the mighty student-athletes who juggle their studies and sports. Their passion for learning and playing drives these students to test their limits and abilities.

As a challenge on its own, there’s also the need to balance one’s self-care. Amidst the academic requirements, training, and competitions, is there any space left for the student-athlete to win some “me time?”

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Playing sports can start at a young age by watching a game or looking up to a professional athlete. Such was the case for student volleyball player Emmanuel Cruz Jr., who learned the ropes from his cousin in the seventh grade.

Playing for nine years, he took huge inspiration from a renowned Filipina volleyball player. “Malaking factor din is yung nakakuha ako ng inspiration maglaro dahil kay Alyssa Valdez, as in grabe impact niya sa akin,” the 21-year-old said.

Contrastingly, video games and a sports program introduced Alyssa Domingo to the world of basketball and taekwondo.

Because of the computer game “NBA 2K10,” she grew interested in basketball by making a makeshift ball out of paper and playing with the boys in school. As Domingo continued to shoot hoops on the computer and get advice from co-players, she eventually joined the women’s basketball team in the ninth grade.

Meanwhile, in the sixth grade, she joined a sports program for taekwondo and was officially welcomed into the team. Domingo remembered how she fell in love with the sport.

“I just loved moving way back then, I love how I am well-motivated when I get to know [learn] new kicks and I developed an ability to know how my body works as an athlete. I loved how I disciplined myself and saw myself become strong despite the training’s hardships,” the 21-year-old said.

On why these student-athletes took on the challenge to be one, they’ve revealed a profound reason. Cruz decided to study and play at the same time because it made him happy. His passion for volleyball made every effort worthwhile.

Similarly, Domingo found purpose in the game after the feeling of having a mundane school life. “Pero it was the feeling na, parang ito ‘yung purpose ko, parang finally may extra-curricular na para sa akin talaga,” she said.

Thanks to taekwondo, she often became her school’s representative. This also didn’t sacrifice her academic responsibilities because the school gave exemptions and considerations.

But as the State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) returned to sporting meets, Domingo was conflicted about whether to bounce back into the game or not. As a journalism student, she had to conquer 32 semestral units, and the fact that there were no more class excuses.

She went through a self-crisis and thought that her skills had to be sacrificed to represent the school. It was in her junior year when she got back to taekwondo.

“Nandoon pa rin ‘yung takot na baka di bumalik ‘yung skills ko, yet I kept going. But through the succeeding days of training, I am completely convinced na ‘this is mine,’” she said.

Academic loads would still put her athlete’s life to a halt but thanks to her coaches’ support, she was able to go on.

Support system

To have a student-athlete may cause concern in the family. For Cruz, what mattered most was that he didn’t neglect his studies. As such, his family gives him all-out support.

Domingo’s parents would encourage her to stop her training as they witnessed her sleepless nights and exhaustion. While she understood their reasons, it was the passion that kept her going. “Ang lagi ko lang sinasabi sa kanila, ‘di po ako makukumpleto kung wala ako sa training,’” she said.

Friends are also a good support system for a student-athlete. Receiving support from friends was easy for Cruz. “Lahat naman din sila suportado rin ako, actually karamihan din sa friend ko is volleyball player kaya sobrang naiintindihan namin ang isa’t-isa,” he said.

Domingo’s classmate-friends were also helpful, saying that they’ve got her back during the most difficult academic setbacks.

Training ground

To be a student-athlete in one word: busy. During Cruz’s peak student-athlete era, he would have a hectic schedule of going to classes, followed by training, and then finishing his schoolwork.

“Mahirap maipon lahat ng schoolwork lalo na kung student athlete ka, so ang ending halos wala na ring pahinga, pero para sa akin okay lang kasi gusto ko talaga yung ginagawa ko,” he said.

Domingo also had it rough by going to school in the morning and finishing her pending activities to keep up the “academic momentum.” After classes, she goes straight to training which will last until 9 p.m. Arriving at home by 10 p.m., she must eat dinner while doing schoolwork. Often, she could not sleep after her training as energy was at its peak.

“So, sinasadya ko na ma-exhaust ‘yung sarili ko through acads to the point na maging exhausted enough ako para madiretso ang tulog. Sa sariling termino ko, ‘saktong pagod lang,’” she said.

Domingo said this would last until 1 a.m. until she gets up in the morning to do the same routine.

Beyond the restlessness of it all, these players have gotten numerous awards. Cruz is most proud of his team’s silver snatch in senior high school. He’s also fond of his individual awards, knowing that many talented players were among his batch.

On the other hand, Alyssa would never forget finally receiving her black belt in taekwondo. She’s also proud of her debut game at the recent SCUAA. The long-term athlete considered her return to training and winning a gold medal which made her hardships worth it.

Self first

Study hard, play harder, but take care of yourself the most. And for these student-athletes, it’s been a priority to self-care. Emman ensures to have some “me time” to relax during the tiring days. He also takes vitamins to strengthen his immune system.

“Challenge siya for me kasi as a student athlete mahirap talaga sila pagsabayin kasi wala ka talagang pahinga, pero kapag titingnan yung good side may mga benefits naman din. That kahit na challenge siya for me okay lang sakin kasi gusto ko yung ginagawa ko and I love playing volleyball,” Emman expressed.

For Alyssa, she shared a thorough self-care checklist. Having a good relationship with yourself, listening to body cravings, openly communicating with others, praying always, stretching, daily care, and nurturing her well-being as a student-athlete.

“They were not solely na by myself lang, but product ‘yan ng lahat ng natutunan ko all throughout my journey and mga natutunan ko rin from my fellow teammates, coaches, and even sa rivals,” she shared.

Overall, Alyssa learned that being a student-athlete has its ups and downs and all aspects of one’s life must be set right to keep going. But challenges don’t just happen on stage or in the classroom, they also go on in real life.

“‘Di naman natatapos ang challenge pagkatapos ng isang competition. Nand’yan pa rin ang real-world na walang pakialam kung anong belt mo sa taekwondo o kung naka-ilang points ka sa basketball. But the values I need for real-world scenarios as I go into adulthood, majorly ay natutunan ko from sports so I will never neglect the athletic phase of my life,” she opened up.

“Ang buhay ko, parang muscles lang. The more na nasasabak, the more na sumasakit, the more likely it will develop and get better – to carry and to do heavier challenges in life,” she added.

With reports from Regine Dayao