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   Everyone assumes student athletes receive an easy ride, but that is far from the truth. Athletes must excel on the field as well in the class room.

   A regular student finds college to be very difficult and stressful, now add on the responsibility of being an athlete.

   For a first-year student, being away from home for the first time can be very difficult. The process of becoming an adult can be scary and homesickness becomes an ailment that all first-year students face.

   Sarah Ward, a first-year basketball player, travels home every weekend.

   "I just live two hours away, and I'm really close to my family," she said. "So I go home every weekend, but when the season starts I won't be able to go home every weekend."

   Though at times Ward gets homesick, she like most freshmen athletes have to learn self-discipline or they’ll get swallowed whole by this thing called college.

   "We're just practicing now, so I imagine things will get crazier when the season starts," Ward said. "I have to make times to study. I don't have a radio or television, because I don't want the distraction. I'm doing really well in my classes, I have four As and one B.”

   Sarah Reed, a senior softball player from Dallas, Texas, recalls the difficulties that first-year athletes face.

   "When I got here I was definitely cultured shocked. I didn't know what to expect when I first came in, but I caught on pretty quickly. It's all about time management. You have to make time to study," Reed said. "Most hotels have wireless Internet, so you can e-mail professors the assignment if you have the time and a laptop."

   No matter what classification all athletes need help. During the season, professors often times have to be flexible to accommodate athletes.

   Kimberly Calloway, a junior softball player, attributes her success as first-year student and athlete to the professors.

   "Most professors are really supportive," she said. "If you give them an advanced notice that you'll be missing class, they'll work with you, as long as you put in the effort."

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