Many high school students have dreams of becoming a college athlete, and going on to a lustrous career in the pros. However many don’t know where or how to start. Here is a guide to help you become a college athlete.
Continual tasks to be performed throughout your high school years.
These are the things that you need to do starting your freshman year and lasting through your senior year. They’ll help you directly with athletics, indirectly by allowing you to keep competing, or are useful to helping you down the road.
1. Stick to your goal - Always have your goal in mind, and do the things necessary to see your goal become a reality.
2. Start, follow, and update an exercise regimen. – Exercising year round is incredibly important to making you the best athlete you can be.
3. Start, follow, and update a nutrition program. – Proper nutrition is just as important to your performance as exercising is. Many athletes overlook this fact. By incorporating a nutrition program, you’re going to improve yourself at a faster rate than your competitors.
4. Pay attention to your grades. – It makes no sense working incredibly hard to improve yourself if you aren’t eligible to perform due to grades. You need to pass the NCAA and the college’s requirements as well.
5. Take the required classes. – The NCAA requires athletes to have certain classes depending on the level they play in college.
6. Determine possible schools to attend. – By determining where you want to go to, it helps you set up smaller goals that will lead to you achieving your main goal.
7. Join complementary sports. - Other sports help you stay in physical shape, keep your compeitive edge, and are fun.
8. Set physical goals for yourself. - By setting physical goals for yourself, you help yourself progress to where you need to be in terms of athletic ability.
9. Attend sports camps. – Attending sports camps is a great way to get your name out amongst college coaches, and improving your athletic ability.
Freshman and Sophomore Years
During your freshman and sophomore years it’s important that you set your goals and begin the process of being a college athlete. That means to start doing the continual tasks listed above.
Junior Year
During your junior year of high school, you want to do the following things:
1. Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center – You need to prove your eligibility with the NCAA. Start now so you have enough time to fix problems before they arise.
2. Take the ACT and/or SAT – Find out which tests you need to take. Take the test(s) now, so you can retake them if needed.
3. Start applying for scholarships – College is expensive. Scholarships make it a little easier to pay for school.
Senior Year
The following are things that you need to perform during your senior year:
1. Send out recruitment letters to coaches. – You can’t be recruited if the coach doesn’t know who you are.
2. Apply to colleges. – Now is the time to make sure you’ve met all requirements, and can attend the school.
3. Visit different campuses. – Visit different campuses to see what you think about the school.
4. Compare different offers. - This will help you determine which school is the best one for you.
5. Finalize eligibility. - Tie up any loose ends so that you’re ready to choose where you want to go.
6. Choose a college. - Sit down and think what college is best for you.
7. Sign a Letter of Intent. – Depending on the school you’re attending, you may need to sign a letter of intent. Ask your coach for more information.
8. Sign up for financial aid. – Finalize any financial aid things that you need to do. That way, you’re all set to head off to school.
For more information, see my Next Level ebook, which has more detail in it. Also, check out my recommended websites to help find any information you may need.
