For the average student, the school day ends in the afternoon frenzy to be the first out of the parking lot or the bike cages. Last-minute homework assignments are shoved haphazardly into random backpack pockets, and teachers yell frantically as their students leave the classroom, reminding them that “the bell doesn’t dismiss” them. But not for an athlete. They’re skilled at multitasking, not only between school and sports, but also in handling their lacrosse stick, a day-old Gatorade and a fabricated prep check-in form claiming they have zero practice absences (they don’t) all in one hand.

The first rite of passage for the athlete consists of convincing their P.E. teacher that, yes, they are committed to attending practice every day, and no, they will not be responsible for the damage if their locker bursts after attempting to shove three different bags inside. Then, they have to kindly explain to their stubborn fourth-period teacher that they are missing class for the next five weeks because sports games are a 40-minute drive away. After a light day of conditioning, including a three-mile “jog” and 20 minutes of intense team-building group workouts, the athlete returns home smelling like a mixture of sweat and Biofreeze.

One may believe their day is over, but it’s far from it. The ominous pile of homework calls. Athletes rely on the blessed fridge stocked with energy drinks to brute-force their assignments after changing out of sticky practice clothing. Once the stack reduces and their eyes begin to flutter shut, the athlete sighs with relief for a brief moment, then realizes they’ll do it all again tomorrow.