Student-athletes can balance academics and sports by staying organized, managing time, communicating and keeping schoolwork a priority. In 2024, approximately 540,000 student-athletes participated in National Collegiate Athletic Association sports across the United States. Balancing the demands of academics and athletics is a challenge for student-athletes. Being a successful student-athlete requires discipline, and the following tips can help student-athletes balance studies and sports. Student-athletes will have to embrace time management and other skills to juggle the responsibilities of their sports and studies.