Sports practice during finals week proves beneficial for student athletes

With finals coming up, student athletes are faced with the task of balancing athletics and studies
to finish the semester on a good note. For students involved in sports on campus, practicing
during finals is helpful.

Finals week is the last chance for students to raise their grade as the semester comes to an
end. Finals test cumulative knowledge of the curriculum students have learned throughout the
semester. With finals being weighted heavily, it can make or break a student’s grade.
Per a study conducted at Columbia University physical activity improves general brain
performance and can help promote the production of new brain cells. According to Costa
sophomore Dylan Fenton, being able to get outside and play lacrosse for two hours is a
necessary break from studying. Fenton also stated that movement is a great way to calm down
if school gets stressful and to recharge the brain.

According to acc.edu, people with good time management skills are able to complete their work
in less time, leaving free time to do hobbies or spend time with friends or family. It is also a very
important skill for employment. Finals week is a major challenge for student athletes balancing
sports and studying, so it is a great time to practice time management skills. Being able to
manage the week of finals will set people up for success in any career path.

According to Charlene Gamaldo, M.D. , a medical director for Johns Hopkins Center for Sleep,
exercise helps stabilize people’s mood along with decompressing the mind, which are two
things that naturally transition a person to a sleeping state. Student athletes that participated in
practice and studied for finals need to sleep with no disruptions. According to
hopkinsmedicine.org, exercise promotes deep sleep phases which allows the brain to
rejuvenate.

Per Costa sophomore Brock Lewis, having hockey practice during finals week would not be
preferred, as it gets too stressful during the week. When studying, he doesn’t want to take a
break from studying to go to practice. Especially if it is two tests in one day, he needs a lot of
time to study for both. However, according to health.cornell.edu, taking purposeful breaks from
studying can increase energy, productivity, and ability to focus.

Studying for finals is stress-inducing, but learning to cope with the stress and find ways to calm
down is key. Practicing during finals week is mentally and physically beneficial for student athletes.