Extracurricular activities, such as sports, have long been a part of the collegiate landscape. The field has grown to include a broader range of competitive opportunities for students. Among the list, basketball and football dominate these activities.
You will learn in this article why you must engage in college football, its benefits, and how it can assist you in becoming a responsible adult (apart from the fact that football is fun).
From academics to managing a college football schedule, sports teach students the essence of hard work and time management from academics to managing a college football schedule. While many students participate in football for the passion of the game, there are significant benefits to participating in these extracurricular activities.
The following sections offer significant advantages of playing college football:
Representation in Society
Students learn the value of honoring their community on the field by participating in college football. These athletes experience the thrill of team rivalry and relish the glory of their university. This sense of community representation and the prestige of defending the home team helps mold them into responsible adults.
Also Read: Most Popular Sports among Students
Improves Academic Performance
Another study on college and high school athletes revealed that the average GPA of a sports student was 2.84. In contrast, the average GPA of a student who did not participate in sports was 2.60. The poll also revealed that athletes skipped fewer school days than their non-athletic peers, with 7.4 and 8.8 days missed, respectively.
Another 2017 study reported that students who participated in sports like football and swimming performed 10% better in arithmetic, physics, social studies, and language arts.
Students who participated in athletics excelled at both writing research papers and solving intricate arithmetic problems. This is because athletics helps the students develop prompt thinking ability, along with boosting their reactive and judgment skills.
Collaboration and Teamwork
As everyone in team sports strives toward a shared idea, students learn how their efforts impact the rest of the squad.
Constructive Mentoring
Positive mentorship flourishes in college athletics, from the trainers on the stands to the captains. Students deal with different kinds of authoritative figures who offer them essential lessons about dedication, responsibility, and compassion. Early encounters with mentors positively influence athletes, instilling in them the commitment they will need for the rest of their lives.
Time Management
Practice, tournaments, and team obligations consume a substantial amount of a student’s time, leaving significantly less time for academics and other activities. Therefore, athletes must master time management skills if they want to accomplish all of their tasks on time. Students build these skills through balancing academics and team activities.
Health and Fitness
Several studies have found that when college students are given opportunities to engage in sports, their body weight and mass keep improving. A study reveals that when students participate in sports in college, they are less likely to engage in unhealthy activities. It further stated that students who did not participate in sports in high school were 49% more likely to take substances and indulge in other toxic activities.
Each week, a few hours of extracurricular exercise, such as athletics, dramatically reduce any such risks.
Instills the 3P’s
Professional educational leaders discuss the three “P’s” that athletes develop that go beyond the school environment: persistence, patience, and practice.
Sports players understand that practice is necessary, even when they would rather spend time with their friends. They discover that the more effort they exert, the greater their performance. They also learn that persevering and not giving up gives them a greater chance of achieving their objectives. These skills help students succeed in assessments and in their careers long after graduation.
Social Relationships
Students participating in collegiate athletics typically develop close relationships with teammates. These connections are critical for cognitive, emotional, and overall well-being throughout and beyond college.
Leadership Skills Development
As athletes progress through the ranks, they acquire crucial leadership abilities. Senior players are meant to motivate and hold junior team members accountable. They serve as role models for their juniors and frequently offer advice and support on and off the field.
Also Read: Sports are Incredibly Crucial for your Mental and Physical Health
Scholarship Opportunity
If you play football in college and are a skilled player, you can qualify for a student-athlete scholarship. Such financial assistance can go a long way in a society recuperating from a slow economy. Moreover, college costs are at an all-time peak and frequently soaring. This often forces students to rely on loans to meet their financial obligations.
Therefore, a student-athlete scholarship can support you with food, education, and living expenses, making your student life much easier.
