Abstract
This study determined the level of strategies used by student-athletes in balancing sports and academics and examined whether significant differences exist when grouped according to age, sex, family income, parents’ educational attainment, and educational level, as basis for an intervention plan. A descriptive-comparative research design was employed, involving 164 student-athlete respondents from a private university in a highly urbanized city in Central Philippines for School Year 2025–2026. Data were gathered using a researcher-made questionnaire covering four areas: time management, self-regulation, academic engagement, and coping mechanisms. Findings revealed that the level of strategies used by student-athletes in balancing sports and academics was generally high across all areas. Significant differences were found when grouped according to age, sex, and educational level, while no significant differences were observed in terms of family income and parents’ educational attainment. The results indicate that student-athletes are generally capable of managing their academic and athletic responsibilities effectively. However, areas such as procrastination, distraction control, inconsistent study habits, and stress management still require improvement. These findings suggest the need for targeted interventions to further strengthen student-athletes’ dual-career management skills.
Keywords: Student-athletes; time management; self-regulation; academic engagement; coping mechanisms; descriptive-comparative