Homework or Teamwork?
**DISCLAIMER: All characters and scenarios in this post are fictional.**Kim was a star soccer player in high school and hopes to continue playing in college. The college she will be attending has Division III women’s soccer, and the coach is anxious for Kim to join the team.
However, her college is also very challenging academically. She’s heard from some people on the team that, especially during the season, it’s better to take easier classes so you can go to practices and games, and also get your work done without stressing. Kim doesn’t feel comfortable following this advice because she really chose her college because of its strong academic reputation. On the other hand, she doesn’t want to settle for intramural soccer, which she thinks won’t allow her to play up to her potential.
What role should sports play in Kim’s college life?
Found at: http://www.scu.edu/r/ethics-center/ethicsblog/thebigq/16679/Homework-or-Teamwork?
To start off with Kim should be more focused on her academics
ReplyDeletethen sports. But if she manages her time well between sports and school work she could be very successful. She doesn't have to choose between the sport she loves and academics. She could choose a healthy balance on the difficulty of her classes during season that would be achievable. She could also ask her coach for help and her advisers and see what they recommend.
I agree with you that Kim needs to stay focused on her academics more than her sports career. That healthy balance between sports and academia is very important and I agree that she should ask her potential coach if they will provide some sort of study table to help her keep this balance.
DeleteI agree that Kim should have a healthy balance of hard and easy classes. She shouldn't go easy on herself just because she's in season. I also agree that she should ask her coach because many coaches will be willing to help their athlete's out in more than just coaching them in their sport.
DeleteCollege is about academics. That should be everyone's main focus when they come to college. I think that people shouldn't pick a school depending on the fact that they can play sports. I also think that there are plenty of things that Kim could do to make sure her grades stay up. A lot of schools offer many opportunities to get tutoring and it is very easy to do so. Also, most D III schools make sure that it is possible to do both sports and academics. However, I think that if Kim were to pick one way or another, her education is more important.
ReplyDeleteThis is accurate, as you also have to look in the future and realize that the chances of her playing national or professional sports are a lot smaller than finding a job.
DeleteI believe that Kim should listen to the other players. To make the semester that she is in season easy and take the hard classes in the off season. As long as all the classes are done before graduation it doesn't matter the order, this will help her play sports and have time for her academics.
ReplyDeleteI agree that as long as she gets the credits done that she can make the semester easy for herself. But the only thing that is teaching is taking the easy road.
DeleteWell thought of, Jacob. Your comment stating that as long as she completes all of her classes before graduation, no matter the order, is smart.
DeleteI disagree with this because usually DIII programs have things to ensure their players are succeeding academically and if Kim has good time management she will be able to balance academics and sports and succeed in both.
DeleteKim's first job is to get a degree, not too play soccer. Soccer is a privilege, not a right. If she is not able to keep up with her grades while being on track to graduate with her major to play than she shouldn't be able to play. I think she shouldn't take all hard classes so it won't stress her out but she shouldn't take all easy classes just to make it easy on herself.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. Kim should keep a balance of hard and easy classes during the season rather than putting all the easy classes at one time and all the hard classes at another.
DeleteI agree that her main priority is to worry about getting her degree because odds are she won't be going pro with her soccer career and can't make money off of it.
DeleteA great part about college is learning how to manage time and build a schedule in which one can still complete tasks they need done, and activities in which they would enjoy doing. Kim's first concern is school, as that is most likely the prime importance in her future, but if she really wants to play soccer, she will build a schedule in which she can make time to do so.
ReplyDeleteKim is making it seem like there are only two options when it comes to playing sports in college. This should not be the case. She does not have to choose between intramural and hard classes or school team and easy classes. It is very possible for Kim to balance soccer with academics. That being said her main priority and focus should be academics but not the extreme that she can't play college sports. If she wants to do a compromise, she could take some easy classes as well as some challenging classes during season. This will lessen the work load a little but still challenge her academically. Since the school is said to be challenging academically, she can ask her coach to set up study tables because there are probably others on the team who are in the same predicament as she is.
ReplyDeleteI agree I think that it is totally possible to balance school and sports. Of course if problems do arise with trouble balancing them school should always be chosen first but that's not to say that you can only have one.
DeleteKim should see that she must learn how to manage her time. If she can do this, anything is possible. I am all for her playing soccer. she has a few weeks to see if the amount of work is too much or just enough for her. If it is either of those answers, she can add or drop a class. As long as she can manage her time well, she can do as she pleases.
ReplyDeleteI also think that utilizing the ability to add or drop classes will be beneficial for her. If she feels like she can handle the work load and maybe more she could always add a class, and vice versa. Good idea Samuel.
DeleteI believe that Kim should focus on her academic career first, then her sports career. It's in the name, Student Athlete, student first then athlete. Kim should look at the big picture and realize that it is this education that she is receiving that is going to help her become successful in the future,sadly, not soccer.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Kim's academic career is going to be more important than her sports in the long run. By having the education and making a career of it, she is setting herself up for a great future.
DeleteI think Kim should prioritize academics over sports. However, if you have good time management , she should be fine academically during the year. Typically, DIII sport programs have things set up such as AGP's and such to ensure their players stay up to task with their schooling. I would understand if Kim was to make her schedule a little easier, however I would not change it all that much.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the fact that Kim could have both a spot on the soccer team and good academic standings, as long as her time management skills are utilized. The AGP's are very helpful for me, allowing me to keep track of grades and my day to day basis.
DeleteI think that Kim needs to put school before sports, because she won't be able to make a living off of playing soccer. What she could possibly do in order to still play soccer and do well in school is to balance the classes between hard and easy and to manage her time wisely.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this because it is important to understand that sports do not last forever especially with division III, the likelihood of making a living off of sports after college is not likely.
DeleteThe strong academic reputation that this college has is what has pulled Kim to it. With that being said, a persons academic career is more important than the sports they are playing throughout it. Especially being a Division III college, the academic side should be the main focus and should not be pushed aside from sports. If she would like to continue to play sports, she can work on managing her time wisely and try to do both, but ultimately, it should be her education that takes priority.
ReplyDeleteKim needs to remember that at any college where she is choosing to play soccer and study, that she is Student-Athlete, not an Athlete-Student. She needs to first focus on her academics because attaining good grades will increase her future success in attaining a good job. However, if she really wants to be on the team, than she will have to take a few easier classes with maybe one or two harder ones mixed in. I think she should not become a member of the team because she picked her college for their strong academic reputation.
ReplyDeleteIt is important to be able to balance both extra curricular and academics. If all of her classes are completed in her four years of education then the order she decides to take them in should not matter. If she believes she will do better by taking the more challenging classes in the off season then she should and then take her easier general education requirements during her season of sport.
ReplyDelete