Work to Be an Academic All-Star to Give Yourself an Opportunity on the Field

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While prospective college athletes dedicate much of their time towards improving their raw skills and performance on the field (or court, or ice), some forget that academic accomplishments are just as significant (if not more!) to making that next step from high school athletics to collegiate athletics. Here at the start of June, as high school seniors are winding down the school year, many student-athletes with promising potential college careers - including those  with commitments to major programs - have seen their hopes dashed by not devoting enough time to ‘All-American’ performances in the classroom as well. There are a number of things to remember when it comes to the balance of academic excellence with athletic achievements. Two of the biggest are:

• Your classroom stats are just as important - if not more - than your in-game stats: You are likely not going to commit (and stay committed) to the school of your dreams, no matter how impressive your game-time statistics may be, if your academic statistics are not impressive also. The same consistency that you devote towards your sport should be applied to your work as a student. People always discuss that the word “student” comes before the word “athlete” in the phrase “student-athlete”, and it’s true. Take the time and effort to focus on earning and maintaining strong grades, which segues into our next step;
• "All Gas, No Breaks." Don’t be afraid to “run up the score” in the classroom; If you’ve finally committed to the school of your dreams, you’re ready to take your talents to the next step of your athletic career. Great job! But do not get too cocky. You still have time left as a high school student, and it cannot be spent slacking off just because you’ve committed and signed. You need to get your grades up as high as you can...and then keep them there. The best athletes have an obsession with being consistently great at what they do. You must apply this championship mentality to your work in the classroom as well. So, once you sign your letter-of-intent, or once you get to the second semester of your senior year, you cannot limp to the finish line. If anything, keep pushing harder and finish strong.

For additional insights on the college prep process for student-athletes, do not hesitate to contact us today!