For the majority of student-athletes, college is the first opportunity to begin maturing into adulthood. You will encounter several new experiences, including living alone or living with teammates or classmates from near and far. In a recent NCAA research study, more than 70% of student-athletes across all three divisions said they prefer to live with their teammates or a combination of other student-athletes and nonathletes.
 
One of the biggest adjustments to college life is learning how to manage your time between academics, athletics, employment, social life and perhaps most importantly, sleep.
 
Based on our research, we have learned a lot about the time demands of our Division I, II and III student-athletes. When it comes to sleep, or lack thereof, you have told us that student-athletes are averaging six hours and 15 minutes of sleep nightly in season, while eight hours of sleep are recommended. The consequences? Sixty-one percent of student-athletes report daytime fatigue at least three or more days a week. Our Sport Science Institute has developed materials on sleep and wellness for collegiate athletes and continues to make it a top priority for improving the health and well-being of our student-athletes.
 
Perhaps one of the most telling pieces of feedback we have learned from listening to you is despite all the new experiences that come with going to college and being a student-athlete, it is important to you to remain grounded and remember the people who helped you get to where you are today. Even as college seniors, over a third of student-athletes remain in close contact with high school teammates and coaches, while 55% of student-athletes communicate with their parents or guardians once or more per day for support across a wide range of issues.  Click here for a closer look into that research.

As a follow-up to two NCAA student-athlete well-being studies conducted in 2020, nearly 10,000 student-athletes surveyed recently reported elevated levels of mental health concerns. Your mental health is equally as important to your physical health.  Below are mental health resources from our Sport Science Institute as well as a mental health segment from our NCAA Social Series. 

Mental Health Resources

The NCAA has developed and made available a multitude of mental health educational resources. The Association, its member schools and core stakeholder associations remain committed to prioritizing the critical challenge of creating and maintaining an environment where student-athletes can obtain mental health services without stigma while thriving in an environment that promotes mental and physical well-being. More >> 

NCAA Student-Athlete Well-Being Study | NCAA Social Series Recap

Social Series: Focusing on Mental Health