High-School Sports aren't Killing Academics

It is a popular belief that high school sports kill academics.  People believe that the reason for Americas lack in test scores is a direct result of too much sports.  Its believed that students cannot focus on sports and academics at the same time.  This however, is false.  According to this article, "High-School Sports Aren't Killing Academics", the only correlations sports may have with academics is a positive one.  A study in Harvard University studied the correlation between test scores and sports in Ohio.  They found that the better the sports teams did, the higher the average test scores were.  This correlation did not only show in the athletes, but in all the students as well.  It must have something to do with the school spirit involved when your sports teams are playing well.

As a high-school student-athlete, I can vouch for what is stated in this article.  I have found that during my sport season, which are soccer in the fall and volleyball in the spring, my grades and academics increase dramatically.  The winter season is always where I seem to struggle and I have a simple theory of this.  During the fall/spring seasons, while I'm playing sports, I develop good habits.  I eat healthier, go to bed early, and am more focused.  I seem to study and do homework more often.  When I am not in season, I develop bad habits.  I usually go home and sleep, play Xbox, or go out and get food.  I am not as focused during this time and am a lot less likely to study or do homework.