The academic lifestyle is a way of thinking for any student, and for someone with a tight schedule, such as an athlete, that challenge reaches a new level. Having to spend a large part of their time practicing and improving their skills in a sport is energy-draining.
It gets even tougher as the student-athletes leave the classroom and move on to a full-time practicum, which is basically working full-time. For one student-athlete, Sasha Pietramala, this balancing act proved to be an ongoing struggle marked by long days, competing expectations, and difficult personal sacrifices.

Pietramala acknowledges that achieving true balance was nearly impossible. Her schedule frequently required transitioning directly from early morning strength training to full work shifts, followed by evening soccer practices. The physical and mental weight of such days forced her to make firm decisions regarding her commitments. This often meant sacrificing social time and limiting moments with friends and family. Although these decisions were difficult, she remained grounded in the understanding that the intense period would not last forever and was an investment in her future. 

Her practicum quickly became the central focus of her schedule. With the opportunity to work at a major news network, she felt significant pressure to excel. "Putting my best foot forward when on shift was always my biggest priority because it's so important for my future," Pietramala stated. Despite the demanding workload, she appreciated the understanding shown by her teammates when practicum responsibilities caused delays or absences, and with huge support from her team when she was late or was not able to attend soccer-related events.

Organization and communication played critical roles in her ability to manage both worlds. Relying heavily on her online calendar, Sasha kept track of each obligation in a schedule that became highly repetitive. She emphasized honesty with those around her, noting, "When I'm too tired or busy, just say no."

The challenges associated with balancing athletic and practicum commitments became evident immediately. Sasha missed the entire pre-season for the job that turned into her practicum. Missing the pre-season highlighted the difficulty of meeting the expectations of employers, coaches, teammates, and personal goals simultaneously.

While her professional performance remained steady, she acknowledged that her athletic performance suffered. Sasha admitted not being in "her" game and being completely focused compared to other years, adding on top of that an early injury, a new position, and personal stress.

In the end, Sasha's experience highlights the realities student-athletes face when balancing high-level sport with professional development. Her commitment, honesty, and resilience underscore the importance of support systems and realistic expectations during demanding seasons.