WOODBURY — There are few things that can top the feeling of getting your first paycheck, or making the game-winning play. The feeling that overcomes a person is unforgettable. 

But sports and work both take up a lot of time in a student’s schedule, which could already be filled with homework and studying. 

“The schedule of baseball interfered with my hours at work,” says Nonnewaug sophomore Andrew Williamson, who quit his travel baseball team to work at March Farm. “I thought that it was a waste of money because I could be making money at my job, and I wouldn’t be able to attend half of the schedule.” 

In 2024, the average cost of just joining a travel baseball team can be upwards of $1,000, and that is not even counting the fees of bats, gloves, and other equipment needed. 

“Because joining the team costs a lot of money, and since I had a job, I would rather put hours into making money. I value getting experience for later jobs and making money over playing sports,” said Williamson. 

Since he doesn’t have a sport to play, Williamson says he has “plenty of time to get outside work done.”

But what about students who try to balance work and sports?

A study conducted by Mandi Derryberry of Northwest Missouri State University shows evidence from their study that students who play sports in school have a higher GPA (grade-point average) than students who don’t play sports, even though they may have less time to complete work outside of the classroom. 

But, Nonnewaug junior Johnathan Cheung disagrees with the university. 

“Since I have football every day, my availability to complete work outside of school has gone down, and so have my grades because of that,” says Cheung.

Not only does Cheung not have time for schoolwork, he also has trouble finding time for a job because of his busy schedule. 

“It’s really hard finding a job,” says Cheung, “I have football every day and I don’t have time to work or even look for a job.” 

Because of this, he is forced to work around sports, such as during the summer or winter when he isn’t playing football or lacrosse. 

But can a student balance both work and sports?

“It’s really challenging to do work or homework after school because I have little time for sports every day, [and] then on weekends I have work,” says Nonnewaug sophomore Johnny Carrara. 

Like Cheung, Carrera also noticed a drop in his grades while he was playing sports. He has to make sure that he manages his time well while balancing work, sports, and school work. 

“There is a noticeable difference in my grades during sports season and the offseason,” says Carrara. “I have to put in a lot more effort into making sure I manage my time when balancing my job and cross country because I have such little extra time.”