A.R.A.

Many student-athletes have grueling expectations throughout the semester. Some of these include making time for practice, doing well in class, and making time for travel to play back-to-back games.

All students have a lot of mental weight to bear, but imagine having the weight of 12-15 credits which is equivalent to a 40-hour work week then having to go to your second job when they call you in. Between the mental and physical demands of both, it’s rough on athletes.

All college  athlete schedules consist of a minimum of twelve credits because you must be a full time student to play, yet some practices can last three to four hours, and this is in addition to any hours the student athlete may work at a job.

As a current student-athlete, it’s easier said than done. There is always stress involved when submitting assignments and essays. Still, something about going to practice five to six days a week can add to your stress levels dramatically. Time management becomes a nightmare, and you feel it’s your fault when things go south. 

Thankfully for Penn State students, there are opportunities through the office of Counseling and Psychological Services. CAPS has a small staff, but Penn State University offers a wide list of services specifically for their student athletes including help with mental blocks, family troubles, and injury stress.

Some colleges handle this situation a bit better than others. For comparison, we’ve put together a chart of services other schools provide for their athletes.  

Cedar Crest College	Education on nutrition, healthy lifestyles, fitness, and exercise, Athlete trainers, Suicide Prevention
Universiy of Pennsylvaina	Supplemental studying/tutoring sessions, reserved study rooms, workshops, Skills, Athlete trainers, suicide Prevention
University of Georgia	Confidential services (Therapy), Athlete trainers, suicide Prevention
Cairn University Highlanders	Athlete Trainers, Physicals, insurance coverage of participation, supplemental athletic insurance, suicide Prevention
Arcadia University	Athlete trainer, Suicide Prevention
Penn State Main Campus	CAPS, Team Open Dialogues, Emotion Regulation Skills, Control Stress to Stress Best, Boundary Setting, Self-Talk Skills, Build Your Individual Zone of Optimal Functioning (IZOF), Bring It In – Team Cohesion and Dynamics, Learning to Ask for Help, Leadership Development, Intersectionality in Sport – Race, Gender, and LGBTQIA+ support, Mental Impact of Injury, Body Image as an Athlete, Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Helping a Teammate Who’s Having a Hard Time, How Substances Can Impact Performance, Suicide Awareness and Prevention, Learning Signs of Common Mental Health Concerns (depression, social anxiety, panic), Helping Someone in Panic, Purpose-Based Performance Skills an Athlete, Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Helping a Teammate Who’s Having a Hard Time, How Substances Can Impact Performance, Suicide Awareness and Prevention, Learning Signs of Common Mental Health Concerns (depression, social anxiety, panic), Helping Someone in Panic, Purpose-Based Performance Skills

What is provided in this chart shows that some schools have more services than others and also may hint at some costs going into another part of the college that may or may not matter more.  Penn state Main campus, according to the the department’s annual financial report, made $181.2 million in their sports as of the 2021-2022 year.

Ultimately, you and your teammates should be like a little family competing in games to see who’s better. If you feel otherwise, then CAPS is always an option, there are wait lists that you can sign on to. The syllabi you have collected for the semester contains information for CAPS. Although CAPS is in its full stretch, they can guide you to another source that can better fit your needs as an athlete.