Inside OAU: How Student-Athletes Balance Sports and Academics Amidst Examination Pressure

           Israel Bakare 

“For learning and culture… sports and struggle.” Beyond its place in the GreatIFE anthem, this phrase continues to reflect the lived reality of many students who are juggling academic demands with active participation in sports.

As examination pressure intensifies across campus, lecture halls, libraries, and reading rooms are filled with students preparing for their examination. Yet, in a striking contrast, football pitches, basketball courts, and other sporting arenas remain active, occupied by student-athletes determined to keep both their academic and sporting ambitions alive.

Speaking with the ICONS correspondent, Emmanuel Ahononvi, who featured in a church football match between FYB and Household Brethren on Sunday, August 2, explained that his commitment to football remains unwavering despite the demands of exams. According to him, his approach to academics is strategic rather than time-consuming.

“Once I have my course outline, I already know where to read and the tactics to use. It’s not about reading everything, but focusing on core concepts so you don’t forget,” he said, adding that balancing football and academics has never been a struggle for him.

Adeniyi Naheem, a Part 3 Engineering student, echoed similar sentiments, noting that balancing sports and academics is a habit cultivated long before examination periods.

“It’s not just about attending classes for attendance sake, but gaining knowledge that makes exams easier. During exams, it feels more like revision than starting afresh,” he explained. He emphasized time management as a key factor, pointing out that football typically takes just a few hours and does not interfere significantly with study time.

For others like Folabi Daniel, a table tennis player, sports serve as a controlled form of relaxation. He noted that he engages in the game during his leisure time, maintaining a well-structured schedule even during exams.

Despite academic pressure, many student-athletes continue to train, compete, and honor sporting commitments. For them, success is not solely defined by long hours of reading but by effective study habits that allow room for other meaningful activities.

Olarinde Oluwatimileyin highlighted passion as a driving force, stating that his love for sports keeps him active even during exams, as he believes it does not negatively affect his academic performance.

Similarly, Adegbola Enoch and basketball player Daniel Osinibi identified time management as their winning strategy. Daniel revealed that he often studies at night, dedicating his evenings to basketball training.

Challenges Under Pressure

While their commitment is evident, student-athletes are not without challenges. The psychological tension of balancing expectations often lingers.

Bolaji Odewale admitted that the constant thought of needing to study instead of playing can be distracting. “The fear is there, but I still play and return to my books afterward,” he said.

Olarinde also pointed out that fatigue from sporting activities can sometimes disrupt study schedules, especially when it affects sleep patterns ahead of exams.

Driven by Passion and Purpose

Motivation remains a defining factor. Ahononvi described sports as a tool for building discipline and self-awareness, helping individuals understand their strengths and limitations.

For Bolaji, motivation stems from team progress, particularly having come far in competitions that began before the examination period. Adegbola kept it simple: “I just love to play football.”

Basketball player Godwin added a mental health perspective, noting that staying away from sports negatively affects his emotional well-being, making regular participation essential.

Many athletes also credit their motivation to past successes, including performances in faculty-based competitions, Dean’s Cups, and micro-Olympics events across campus.

Finding the Balance

Across the board, student-athletes emphasize one consistent message: balance is key. They advise their peers to manage time effectively to ensure that neither academics nor sports suffer, especially during examination periods.

They also acknowledged that tournament organizers often make efforts to schedule matches in ways that minimize clashes with academic activities.

As examinations continue, one thing remains clear, on OAU campus, it is not a question of choosing between books and sports, but mastering the balance between both. For these students, success lies not just in academic excellence, but in sustaining passion, discipline, and a well-rounded campus experience.