12 Steps to Success for Student-Athletes

Once upon a time, I was a high-performance athlete. I was recruited and participated year-round on a NCAA Division I field hockey team at a highly academic institution, Columbia.

Now, I am reflecting on that journey, seemingly ages ago, and want to share these tips (from a college counselor’s perspective) with high school student athletes looking to participate in college athletics.

1) Research the best athletic coaches and club teams. Associate yourself with those coaches and teams.

2) Plan your schedule so you play in the top tournaments where college coaches are recruiting.

3) Write two resumes – athletic and academic.

4) Write to potential coaches to make them aware of your game schedule and athletic tournament(s).

5) Strive to develop and embody these skills and character traits: leadership, sportsmanship, teamwork, integrity, determination, creativity, finesse, love of the game, and intellectual knowledge of the game.

6) Prepare a highlight video.

7) Practice interviewing and honing your soft skills so you can make a great impression with potential/future coaches and teammates.

8) Be prepared to ask insightful questions when you meet the coach and team.

9) Go into college knowing that your #1 job is to the sport and team, year-round. College athletes’ schedules, lifestyles, and entire experiences are different than non-athletes. It’s tougher, but if you can balance – and shine – at both, you’ll be better for it.

10) Express gratitude to coaches, teammates, and family who make sacrifices for your sport. Also, express gratitude for your capable body and your athletic ability – it’s a gift!

11) Remember why you first started playing, who your role models were, whom you liked to play with, coaches who helped along your way, and your excitement at excelling and celebrating with friends. Your sport will become work in college, but try to hold in your mind and heart that it is for fun, it is a game, for you to enjoy and for spectators to enjoy watching you play.

The light shining on your road will get dark, but return to your initial reason for picking up the game, think about your natural skill, and how far you’ve come. Remember that kid playing for fun is always inside you.

12) Do your best! You won’t regret it! You have an amazing opportunity to push your limits – both physically and intellectually – at a young age.