If I want to take rigorous courses in college, should I drop sports?

You can certainly do both! Taking rigorous courses and being a student athlete can be a very time consuming and overwhelming undertaking but it can certainly be done. Depending on your sport, you may have to maintain a certain GPA to stay on the team so often teams will have weekly study hall/sessions to ensure everyone is doing their homework. There are also tutors available for those in need and as long as you are up front with your professors at the start of each semester, you should be able to turn in work early or get an extension if needed. When meeting with your advisor, ask if certain teachers are more "athlete friendly" and talk to other players for tips and advice about which classes might be best to take. Most of your classes will be early - so you can practice in the afternoons - so use your mornings wisely.
You can also study on the bus to away games and save your more challenging classes for the off season when your sports commitment is a little lighter.
If it becomes too much, you can always consider club sports which may hold practices only two or three days a week, travel closer to games, and have less of a time commitment in the off season.

It's great if you can do both. Being an athlete in college can help you learn about time management and stay healthy. You will also gain character and friends! It's a commitment though. You might not spend as much time socializing or hanging out because you are trying to do well at both school and athletics, but I think the potential gain is enormous. It's also an investment in your future. The people you will meet being part of a sports team may be lifetime friends or great contacts in the future. When I look at resumes and I see that someone was part of a college sports team, I know they have a level of discipline and focus that will serve them well. Having said all of that, if you feel like it's not for you I encourage you to find an athletic activity - a club sport, or just a passion for an activity - where you can go and get exercise and get out of the library. It really helps you focus when you are studying to have gone out and burned some calories and focused on something completely different than the latest problem se!

Wow great Question Jose. I would not stop playing sports unless that will interfere with your focusing on grades and focus on the classes. If you got a scholarship for sports stick with them in college. This is good to have Physical Ed too and stay in shape is healthy for you. This actualy helps people academically who play sports to think clearer eat right and be healthy. I would see how well that you can function, no so fast letting go of the sports. However, you must think of injuries too and if they can cause you to be absent from your classes. With sports comes injuries as you well know. I have not met a child yet who at one time or another has not got hurt playing sports. So this is something to think about. Another thing you can do is find another activity that you can do to stay in shape on campus, they offer so much now at the college's. You may want to take a P.E. class, health as an elective for that purpose. Either way you must know what your boundries are as far as can you or not do this. If you are pre med. That will keep you very busy and you will not have time for sports. You must have time managment as well. You must balance your daily time with your classes, homework. leisure etc, make sure you always have some quiet time to regroup weekly this always helps to keep the focus. Good luck in your career path.

The bottom line is time management. If you have the ability to do both and stay on top of your studies and grades, then I recommend doing both. You want to enjoy the college experience, and part of that is being involved in other things besides your classes. You will burn out quick without a balance of something you enjoy. Sometimes, doing those extra curricular activities, will keep you motivated to continue your schooling.