University students are balancing a lot of factors in their lives. This includes study, general life/family requirements/commitments and work. Many students may also be living in a city away from family and friends for the first time whilst they study.
A student-athlete has all of this as well as the added factor of fitting training and competition into their (already) busy lives. This is what makes student-athletes unique.
Student-athletes are often high achieving people. They have to be in order to have the dedication to succeed, not only in life and study but also in their athletic careers.
A student-athlete needs to balance the commitments of life, work and study with their training and competition schedules. A Dual Career programme offered by the student’s university can not only support them to ensure they graduate, but it can also help them succeed in their athletic career.
A good Dual Career programme can:
- Assist the student-athlete to navigate the complexities of university life.
- Provide flexibility so the student-athlete can balance study and exams whilst competing at the elite level of their sport.
- Provide financial and/or non financial support to the student-athlete that helps to reduce the costs of university and/or competing in their sport.
