There’s this general stereotype that when someone is good at studying, it makes him/her a nerd and when someone is a good athlete, it makes him/her a jock. Leave it to the Ateneo to create the perfect balanced hybrid of these two: the student athlete. Maybe back in high school, the athletes in your school were the all-practice no-study types. But in college, being a student athlete is different; especially in a university like the Ateneo. For one, the work load is a lot heavier, you actually have to really study now, and all those papers aren’t going to write themselves.
You see all these amazing athletes such as Kiefer Ravena, Chris Tiu, or Fille Cainglet sweating it out playing for Ateneo, but few people actually consider what they have to go through in order to find the perfect balance between their academics and insane practice hours. The life of juggling academics, athletics, and social life is definitely not an easy one, and maybe it’s not for everyone. This isn’t a how-to article, but actually a list of perks. Not that you should become a student athlete for the perks, I mean, after all, being one takes hardcore determination and dedication, but… yes, if you overlook the crazy schedule and possible lack of sleep, the perks are awesome.
- The Teammates
Being part of a sports team with people who share the same love and passion for the same sport as you do is one of the most awesome feelings in the world. If you’re a freshman, then congratulations, you automatically gain “guides” for the rest of your freshmen year. Your upperclassmen teammates are definitely more experienced than you in college life as a student athlete, and if you become close with them, you’ll learn more tips than you ever will by attending InTACT classes. Also, your smart and kind teammates will save you a lot of money if ever you need tutoring for a subject or class.
- Exemption from PE
Yeah, you read that right. No more sweating it out in the Covered Courts with a PE subject you totally didn’t like but had to take because it ran out of slots, no more big bag you have to lug around because your PE got wedged in between two classes and you can’t go home after, and for certain PE subjects, no more jogging around campus at inhumane hours— either early, early morning or underneath the sun.
- Exemption from NSTP
Technically, you still have to do NSTP— it’s for the country, guys— but instead of five hours for every godforsaken week of the rest of your semester… you only have to do like, thirteen, which is actually a pretty short amount of time in comparison with the former.
- Welcome to the study hall
The study hall is a place where athletes hang out, chill in the air-conditioned haven, or especially in the case of scholar student athletes, study. This is just like the library, except athletes only, you say. No, it’s not. The study hall alone should motivate you to try out for a sport you love, and you know why? Because someone will always be there to help you out with whatever problems you encounter while you’re studying. Because you might get to study in the presence of some athlete you’ve been idolizing/crushing on ever since. But most importantly, there’s free printing. Hello, papers that wasted too much of my money for printing ink.
- Athlete events
Athlete orientation, Ateneo cheer rally, Athlete’s Night, you name it. This is practically paradise for all those fanboys and fangirls out there. Maybe you’ll get to see your favorite volleyball player at one of these events, maybe you’ll even accidentally rub shoulders with them, who knows? Some advice: act cool. Even if it’s Gretchen Ho standing in front of you and you’d regret it for the rest of your life if you don’t take a picture with her and/or get her autograph, play it cool— you’re all athletes.
- You get to represent the Ateneo.
‘Nuff said.
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Lexine, 2 AB Literature-English, is a student-athlete. When not training, she is spreading the milk tea madness.
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