School is for Learning Too

Today I am here with all the athletes in the athletics center that is only used for studying.
Because athletes tend to have extremely busy schedules, every freshman athlete
must complete “study hours” in this center where they are monitored by the
staff to ensure that homework actually gets done. Or at least that is the idea.
As I am sitting here observing the largest room for studying, I see five men
that are all at least 200lbs, wearing matching crimson Addidas athletic gear.
In the room, there is one large sitting table for studying, and several
comfortable leather couches. Currently, the five male athletes are sprawled out
on the couches taking up the entire area with their massive bodies. At first
they are all talking to each other about practice and all the drills their
coach made them run, they also are wondering what drills they will be required
to complete this afternoon. They are talking light heartedly and laughing
loudly with occasional grunts. It seems they do not have plans to do any
homework but they do not seem worried that they will get in trouble for not
working. After a few minutes of observing them, I notice that one of the
athletes has dozed off on the couch, one is watching a video on his computer,
and the others are still talking with each other. I focus on one of the men with
shaggy blonde hair because I notice that he pulls out his phone, and asks if
anyone wants pizza in a deep voice. Pizza appeared to be unanimous. Excitement
about the upcoming pizza run begins to stir amongst the group. When the
shaggy-haired boy speaks with the pizza man, he talks in a relaxed way saying
“Yeah, what’s up man can I get two boxes of meat lovers?” It appears that he is
familiar with the menu and I assume orders pizza often. Once he hangs up the
men all get up and walk out of the room, making sure to wake their teammate
that was napping. They get up and take huge steps, walking with their shoulders
back to the door.

After a few minutes of solitude, two girls walk in slightly hunched over because of the large
backpacks on their shoulders. They immediately take notice of the empty couch
and sit down, each girl on her own couch. They pull out their computers right
away and one girl pulls out a notebook. They are not exchanging conversation,
but both are looking very focused. Interestingly enough, both girls do not
start homework right away. One opens up Pinterest on her computer first, while
the other opens up Facebook. Both also periodically look at their phones while
surfing the web. After a few minutes when both seem pleased with their social
media, they both open up homework. One looks like she is working on a writing
assignment, while the other is doing math, which continues for the rest of my
observations.

From observing these athletes while studying, they seem to be fairly normal students, with
unfocused study sessions, and focused ones as well.