One of the challenges that athletes face is scheduling of classes. Most sports have designated practice times as well as physical conditioning times. Coaches are not accepting of athletes missing practice or conditioning because of classes.

Here are some ways for you to manage the scheduling process.

1. Find an advisor who can help you plan a schedule several semesters in advance. Generally classes are taught at the same time each semester. An experienced advisor can help you plan your classes so that you can avoid conflicts during your active season semester.
2. Use your summer to take classes that are typically hard to schedule during fall/spring semesters. This is especially true for lab classes.
3. Take advantage of early registration if it is offered. This will help assure that the class sections that you need will be available to you.
4. Work with your athletic advisor should schedule conflicts be unavoidable. You will need to meet acceptable academic progress requirements to remain eligible. Your athletic advisor is the best person to advocate for you with your coach when there is no way of avoiding class conflicts.

There should never be a reason to change your desired major because of difficulties in class scheduling. That’s why “student” comes first in the phrase student/athlete.