There are a lot of obligations that come with being a student-athlete. Finding your motivation is a really important part of thriving. There is a route for everyone to fulfill desires, as long as we care enough about them. When I need a little boost, I remember the phrase “where there’s a will there’s a way” and it has helped me successfully balanced my various responsibilities of being a student-athlete.
I ran my first collegiate 10K the weekend before Spring Break of my first year at Whitman. I had several tests to study for, presentations to prepare, and lab reports to complete. Up to that point, I hadn’t spent any time doing school work. Driving to and from Portland, Oregon, racing and supporting my teammates had cluttered my schedule with activities. By the time I sat down on Sunday, there was limited time to continue this streak of evasion.
Days like these that make me anxious about juggling my academics while being a student-athlete. It can feel like there is a vast amount of work to be done but such little time to do it. Devoting time to study for hours in the library, combined with taking occasional study breaks when necessary, allowed me to adequately catch up on work and prepare for the onslaught of tasks to be completed in the coming week. All of my professors have been understanding, accommodating and helpful. Staying in contact with them assisted with my ability to make up work I had missed while competing. As the week progressed, things started to fall into place as I checked my academic and miscellaneous priorities off of my to-do list.
Being a student-athlete requires sacrifices made in the name of our sport. I sacrificed my time, my comfort, and my flexibility that weekend to enjoy my first collegiate outdoor track meet—and this is a decision I would never hesitate to make again. The thrill of both racing and supporting my teammates is something that eclipses the inconveniences that come with investing so much energy into something. If I can find my way, you can too. Make a list of your priorities out, stay in touch with your professors and block out time to get your school work checked off your list!
Danny Steinberg ’26 (he/him) is from Orange County, California and intends to major in Biochemistry, Biophysics & Molecular Biology (BBMB) with a minor in Hispanic Studies. While running at Bennington Lake, he had an unlikely running mate—a rattlesnake!