Balancing academics and athletics in college as a military reserve?

Hey guys, I'm a high school junior considering joining the military reserves while also dreaming of playing college sports. Anyone have any experiences, advice, or insights on how feasible it is to balance military reserves with being a college athlete? Any kind of input would be appreciated, thanks in advance!

This is an excellent question, and it's commendable that you're considering such ambitious paths. Balancing academic commitments, participation in college athletics, and serving in the military reserves can be a challenging undertaking, but it's certainly not impossible. I've seen a number of students tackle this commitment and thrive, but it's key to be aware that it requires a lot of discipline, organization, and time management.

Time management is going to be your best ally in this situation. As a student-athlete, your time will already be divided between classes, studying, practice, and games. By adding the military reserves into the mix, you're committing to a designated weekend every month and two consecutive weeks at some point in the year for drills. You'll need to carefully arrange your academic and athletic schedule, ensuring your commitments don't overlap.

Realistically, team practices and games can't be rearranged, and the same goes for your military commitments. Therefore, to avoid complications, early and clear communication with both your coaches and your reserve supervisor is crucial. It might benefit you to have your plan of attack ready and discuss with them your drills schedule so they can understand your obligations. They might even share their experiences or strategies to help you with this endeavor.

The military reserves can provide valuable leadership skills and discipline that could even transfer over to your athletic pursuits. Likewise, the teamwork, resilience, and physical fitness you develop as an athlete could be beneficial in your military service. Both paths offer unique opportunities for personal and professional growth, and having a foot in each world can be a unique and rewarding experience.

Just remember, it's okay to voice if you're feeling overwhelmed at any point. Asking for help when it's needed is just as important as perseverance and dedication. Good luck with your journey! It's no easy task, but it's definitely doable with plenty of advance planning, organization, and open communication with the teams you're part of.