“My life has always moved at a relentless pace.”
This is what Michele shared about his athletic career. For most athletes, this is what their day looks like.
What does your routine feel like daily?
As an international-level football player, my routine was never normal. With early training sessions, long practice hours, frequent matches, and constant travel. There was always something to prepare for. But in between all of this, I was also expected to keep up with school. School had fixed schedules, deadlines, and attendance rules that never changed.
Trying to Balance Both Felt Impossible
There were moments when Michel genuinely felt stuck. No matter how hard he tried, it felt like he was falling behind in something.
What was it like to manage academics and football?
Michel said, “If I focused on football, my academics suffered. If I focused on school, I missed out on training and athletic opportunities.”
And that pressure slowly builds. Not because he didn't want to do both, but because the system doesn't allow it.
The Hardest Part Was Not Training — It Was School
People often think that being an athlete is the toughest part. But honestly, training was never the problem. The real challenge was trying to keep up with school while living an athlete's life.
The key pressure points:
- Missing classes because of tournaments.
- Trying to study after long hours of training.
- Catching up on work while travelling between time zones.
It felt like I was always trying to catch up — but never fully getting there.
There Comes a Point Where You Start Questioning Everything
Michele had a tough time balancing his life. Your child could be going through the same because many athletes face self-confidence issues. This is exactly why 70% of athletes drop out of sports by the age of 13. This happens when schools don't give students the confidence to believe in themselves, lowering their motivation and making them question whether they can manage both studies and their sport. Michel had such doubts. When we asked him about the thoughts he had after a long training day.
He said: It didn't matter if I had a bad day during practice or a productive training day. Even if I broke my personal record, the moment I got home, my mind would never stop having questions like:
- — “Is it even possible to do both?”
- — “Will I have to choose one over the other?”
And that thought stays with me the next morning at practice. Because as an athlete, you are not just chasing a dream — you are working hard for it every single day. But at the same time, education is important too. And being forced to choose between the two is something no student should have to go through.
That's When International Schooling Changed Everything
“When I joined International Schooling, things started to feel different from the very beginning.”
For the first time, I felt like a school actually understood my life. They didn't expect me to adjust to their schedule. They adjusted the system around me. They understood:
- my training schedule
- my travel commitments
- my goals as an athlete
- my mental health
And most importantly — they understood my dream. They always made sure I stayed self-motivated.
Learning Finally Started to Fit My Life
The biggest change I experienced was flexibility. I could learn:
- from home
- while travelling
- even when I was in a different country for competitions
There was no panic about missing classes. No stress about falling behind. If my schedule changed, my learning adjusted with it. And that made all the difference.
Online school for Athletes
Let's see how Michele experienced flexible online classes as an athlete. International Schooling has 4 learning models for athletes.
One-to-One Learning
Classes in this model are completely flexible. You can align your classes with your training schedule.
Self-Paced Learning
When your sport demands intense dedication, the self paced learning allows an athlete to finish classes in between sessions or during breaks.
Self- Paced Plus Learning
It's always better to seek support when you need guidance. While completing or training, you can take classes and doubt-clearing sessions with a teacher.
Group Learning
With fixed class timings, athletes with flexible training schedules or who can manage their schedules accordingly can attend classes with 15 other like-minded individuals.
For Michele, the self-paced plus learning worked the best. He said, "I chose this because I have my strength training, football practices, and other drills. Most of my day is spent on the ground. I needed a school that offers education at my pace." He also happily shared that "International Schooling is the best online school for athletes."
Support That Actually Felt Like Support
Another thing that stood out was the communication. Whenever I reached out through messages, emails, or calls I always received clear and quick responses. I never felt ignored. I never felt lost. There was always someone there to guide me. And as a student-athlete, that kind of support matters more than people realise.
For the First Time, I Didn't Have to Choose
This was the biggest change. I didn't have to choose between football and studies anymore. I could:
- train without stress
- study without pressure
- focus on both without feeling guilty
And slowly, everything started to fall into place.
What Changed Beyond Academics
It wasn't just about managing school better. It changed how I felt. I became:
- more confident
- more focused
- more motivated
Because now, I knew I was moving forward in both areas of my life.
To Every Parent Reading This
If your child is passionate about their sport. You already know how much effort it takes. You see the discipline. You see the commitment. You see the sacrifices. But you also worry:
- “Will they be able to manage school?”
- “Will they have to give something up?”
Here's something I've learned: They don't need to give up anything. They just need the right system, the right school.
Because the Right School Changes Everything
When learning fits your child's life:
- they stop falling behind
- they start gaining confidence
- they enjoy both school and sport
And most importantly — they keep moving forward.
A Message That Matters
To the team at International Schooling — thank you. Your belief in me, your support, and your understanding have truly changed my journey. And more than anything — You made it possible for me to keep chasing my dream.
Like Michele many athletes deserve opportunities, the right education system and most importantly a support system that never stops understanding their true potential.
What Does Michele's Success Story Teach Us?
Your child doesn't need to choose between their passion and their education.
They just need a school that understands both.