By Jerika Ihnen
Aurum Staff
South Dakota School of Mines is known for its rigorous academics. Some days it can be challenging to just keep up with studying for a differential equations test, reading 20 pages of biochemistry, and finishing homework for computer control manufacturing class.
However, the student athletes also get to add two hours of practice, additional strength and conditioning workouts, and their own type of homework in studying film of opposing teams. Just how do they manage to handle this workload?
The following students interviewed excel in their roles as student athletes and have earned the prestigious honor of being NAIA Scholar Athletes. In order to be nominated by an institution’s head coach, a student athlete must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and must have achieved a junior academic status to qualify for this honor.
“Balancing athletics and academics at Mines requires discipline on a day-to-day basis,” said junior men’s basketball player Nathan Jacobson. “The most important aspect of succeeding in the classroom is going to class every day and staying on top of homework. I find it helpful to keep a planner and write down upcoming homework, quizzes, and tests.”
Reanna Roberson, a junior volleyball player, said, “I balance everything by trying not to procrastinate. I stay on top of my school work and get help from my professors when I need it.”
Tommy Smith, junior men’s basketball player, agreed by simply stating, “Don’t procrastinate.”
“I’d say that you just have to be very good at partitioning your time,” said senior football kicker Andy Smith. “Sometimes you have to make social sacrifices to get things done or put in a little extra personal time here or there to make sure you’re up on your studies. It can mean long days and weeks but the satisfaction of being both an athlete and a great student makes it allllll worth it.”
Senior basketball players Silke Forstmann and Scott May both put together a list of useful study tips.
Silke Forstmann:
1. Manage your time.
2. Put a to-do list together.
3. Make flash cards and have them with you at all times for quick study sessions.
Scott May:
1. When you know you have time free you have to get homework done.
2. Don’t study with Jordan or be around him when studying.
3. Get with people of the same major so you can get notes and assignments from them.
“Being successful in both sports and school requires both sleep deprivation and a strong commitment to each aspect,” said Lucas Fried, a senior cross country runner.
“It isn’t easy balancing academics and athletics, especially at arguably the state’s most challenging academic institution,” said Jacobson, “But with the right study habits and commitment, both can be done at a high level. Always keeping the end goal in mind helps to push through the challenging periods of being a student athlete. The hard work will pay off!”
