Balancing an academic schedule with being a track athlete is no small job. This is Caleb Stremcha, a junior college student who is also a mechanical engineering major and a track athlete. Every day he is careful and dedicated. When asked to describe a typical day, he said, “A typical day for me is very structured because I balance school, work, and track throughout the week. I attend classes four days a week and am currently taking 28 credits as a mechanical engineering major, so my time management is essential.”
Track practice is central to his routine. “Fortunately, three of my classes are online, and another one of my classes is track & field, which allows me to dedicate more of my time to my STEM courses,” he said. “On Mondays and Wednesdays, after finishing classes, I have a few hours of break for lunch and then head to track practice. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, I work for six hours before school, so on those days, I spend time recovering at home.” His days run from 8am to 6pm, so planning is a struggle. “I try to stay organized and plan ahead to keep everything on track.” Time management is his biggest challenge. “The biggest challenge is definitely managing time and maintaining energy throughout the day,” he admitted.
With mechanical engineering courses, he faces frequent overlap of assignments and exams. “At the same time, I still want to maintain a strong commitment to my training and internship.” And because his classes don’t always align with practice, he has to stay motivated. “Staying organized and using the flexibility of my online classes has been key.” The mental toll can also be heavy. “Balancing both roles can be mentally taxing at times,” he shared. “Having most of my day filled with classes, work, and training can feel overwhelming.”
Yet he leans on his support network. “I have friends in several of my classes, which helps the academic side feel more manageable,” he said. “And my girlfriend is very supportive and flexible with her schedule, so we can still spend time together.” These connections keep him grounded even in the busiest weeks. Support systems are crucial for his balance. “I have been fortunate to have strong support from several areas of my life,” he noted. “My professors are understanding of the commitments that come with being a student-athlete, and they’re often accommodating.”
His coaches also understand his dual dedication. “My coaches recognize the academic demands and support my efforts.” Even his work environment plays a huge role, “My workplace and internship have been very flexible with my schedule, which has made a huge difference.” Knowing people have his back helps reduce stress. “Having people who understand the balance I’m trying to maintain has helped reduce a lot of stress.”
Recovery of both mental and physical is a priority. “Recovery is something I’ve learned to take seriously because my schedule is so packed,” he said. “Physically, I manage my training load carefully, especially since some of my workouts are done independently.” Track practice spread throughout the week also helps him avoid burnout. “Mentally, I use my evenings to reset whether that’s resting, sleeping or self care”. Overall this shows how a junior college athlete lives and the amount of time he dedicates to both athletics and academics.
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