Students often are required to work together in groups to achieve a goal. That goal might be to find a solution to a series of questions posed through brainstorming ideas collectively or working together on a group project. Understanding how to work well with others to achieve the group's desired outcome is one of the ways that participating in team sports can benefit students in the classroom.
Students experiencing feelings of inadequacy or inferiority may trigger difficulties in coping with classroom assignments. When it comes to speaking up to ask a question or offer an opinion, students suffering from low-self esteem prefer to maintain a low profile. By participating in team sports, these students can learn to appreciate not only what they can do, but also what they can endure in an effort to succeed.
Team sports offers students the opportunity to excel in a way that few things can. Too often there are some students who come to believe that if a thing is difficult to do, then it is best not to try. This type of attitude can lead students to drop out of college or to never try to achieve the grades necessary to be accepted in the first place. Team sports can offer students a "philosophical" road map to developing the skills necessary to overcome any real or perceived obstacle in their journey to whatever they choose to be.
Another benefit for students that are active in team sports is that exercise helps to relieve stress and promotes overall good health. These factors carry over into the classroom, and indeed every aspect of life. Healthy, relaxed students perform better in tests and exams than those who are tired or tense.