Balancing Books, Sports, and Social Life: A Student-Athlete’s Perspective on Drinking

As a university student you have to balance so much: living on your own for the first time, juggling schoolwork, social events, managing your money, and trying to figure out what you want to do for the rest of your life. It is an exciting, but sometimes overwhelming four years. As a student athlete I have had to balance all of the above, and on top of that, multiple practices a week, having to leave town for games, trying to get enough sleep and nutrition to perform.

Balancing it all would be inconceivable, so I had to make sacrifices. I had to decide my priorities; this looked like skipping some nights out, going home earlier, and drinking less overall. At first, I felt like I was missing out, but I came to realize these choices were not just for my team, they were for myself too.  

Throughout my time as a student-athlete I have come to realize that having less drinks, drinking on fewer days and doing things without a drink in my hand has allowed me to thrive on the field, classroom, and in my friendships - which has given me a healthier relationship with alcohol.

Cutting out alcohol altogether is not realistic, nor the key, but finding a healthy balance is. If you’ve got an exam, game, early shift, or project deadline, you have to make a choice. However small, these choices add up. It’s not always easy but having a team or group of friends to hold each other accountable makes all the difference.

I’ve also realized that this isn’t just true for athletes. My friends who are busy with clubs, jobs, intramurals, and other commitments often also fall into healthier routines. Social events are a huge part of university. Filling your schedule with other things like intramural sports, a movie night, music, or anything that you are passionate about, often means filling up your red solo cup less.

Drinking is a big part of university culture and having a drink every now and then is okay! Finding purpose through sport and other commitments has taught me that balance is essential to feel and perform my best. Learning to manage my schedule and priorities as a student-athlete has given me skills I’ll bring with me after I graduate.