University can be game-changing for athletes, but it's not right for everyone. We highlight some of the pros and cons.

While college or university can offer valuable educational opportunities, sports development and career prospects, it may not be the best path for every athlete.

For many, it can be a truly life-changing experience, an opportunity to gain independence, achieve useful qualifications and transferable skills, and meet friends for life whilst also continuing to pursue sport. There's also no doubt it can open doors to many career paths in and beyond sports and provide valuable personal development. It can also be a massive amount of fun, too!

The decision to go to college or university should be a personal one that considers you as a person and your own individual circumstances and goals. Weighing up the pros and cons can help you decide if it's the right path for you.

The Pros

Universities and colleges offer great opportunities to continue your education while still pursuing your sport. There's no doubt that pushing yourself to improve as an athlete while also getting a degree is an absolute win-win. 

The choice of courses available is huge so there'll almost certainly be something for you. Choosing one that really interests you and also opens up possibilities for an exciting career will give you a purpose and something positive to focus on away from your sport. 

Socially, well, what can we say other than these can be the best 3+ years of your life! You’ll be surrounded by other like-minded students many of which will also be balancing sport and studies, so they'll be in the same boat as you! Without a doubt, you'll make many 'friends for life'. 

The sports programmes on offer can include high-level competition, professional coaching, and state-of-the-art facilities. Plus, the connections you make with coaches, teammates, and staff could benefit your sporting career in the long run. These, combined with the fact you'll be competing against and training alongside other talented athletes, provide the potential for real improvement.

University and college also provide opportunities to develop life skills like independence, self-discipline, time management and the ability to juggle commitments, all of which will help you in life and sports.

The Cons

On the downside, balancing university-level studies with your sport can be tough. The workload can be intense. Compared to school, the new workload will come as a shock, whilst coursework deadlines introduce a higher degree of pressure. It can, at times, all seem like a big step up. Time management will become really important, and some athletes struggle to find the right balance.

There’s also the financial side to consider. Higher-level athletes may be eligible for scholarships or other types of financial assistance, but these are sadly limited within the UK. You'll have to survive on a student loan, which, even with scholarships, can be a struggle. Plus, the loan will need to be paid back further down the line, although this doesn't happen until your earnings reach a certain threshold. 

If your sport is your main focus, you might wonder if it’s worth the investment, but remember, many things can happen to derail careers in sport... and then what? Maybe a degree isn't such a bad idea after all...

Seeking Guidance

Seeking advice from coaches, mentors, and school career advisors will be a good move. They can provide insights into the various paths available to you. Chatting with older athletes about their experiences can also be helpful, as they can provide relatable information about combining further education and sport.

The decision to go to college or university should be yours. Remember, there are other options that might be more beneficial for you.

Open Days

Even if you're adamant college/university is not for you, attending an open day is 100% a good idea. Being there in person will allow you to see what's on offer and give you a feel for student life. It's common to bump into other athletes/friends you compete against who are also there to weigh up the pros and cons. This can lead to conversations, and before you know it, you've changed your mind, and you're off to uni...

Networking 

College and university environments provide so much scope for networking within the sports industry and beyond. Building relationships with coaches, fellow athletes, alumni, and professionals can open doors for internships, mentorship, and future career prospects, which can often lead to game-changing opportunities.

Without a doubt, the #1 piece of advice we'd give to student-athletes is to network as much as you can. You never know who knows who or who might be able to help you. 

Personal Growth

College/university life offers a unique opportunity for personal growth, independence, and self-discovery. You'll develop life skills, including time management and responsibility (who'd have thought), resilience, and so much more. But, at the end of the day, it's not for everyone, and the decision to go is a personal one. 

Take Home Points

• College or university can offer you valuable opportunities for sport development as well as education and improved career prospects.
  
  
• It can also open doors to many career paths in and beyond sports and provide valuable personal development.
  
  
• For some, it can be a truly life-changing experience and can be a huge amount of fun, too!
  
  
• There are both pros and cons, so this will be a decision based on you as a person and your circumstances.
  
  
• We 100% recommend you go to a couple of open days... even if you think it's not for you.