What's ________ Mean?

            Anytime I open my mouth in a classroom I know I earn my keep. Subbing one day before X-mas a student was telling me all the things he has to do for the two sports he is active in.

            When he finished, I remarked half-sad, half-sarcastically, That's vital for your education, son.”

            What's vital?” he asked.

Keep a Critical Ear peeled as well!