Freshman March. Navigating the Path to College Sports: A Freshman Athlete’s Guide
As a student or a parent of a high school student-athlete, you surely understand that March is a crucial month in their college preparation journey. During this time, they need to manage their time effectively to finish strong in academics and sports while broadening their college options and familiarizing themselves with financial aid terms to prepare for the future. This blog post is designed to help parents navigate the essential task list for high school student-athletes in March to ensure a smooth transition from high school to college.
Continue to Work On Time Management Skills
Balancing academics, sports, and extracurricular activities can be overwhelming for high school student-athletes. However, it’s crucial to master time management skills to achieve success. As a parent, you can encourage your student to make a to-do list and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines. Remind them to utilize study halls and free periods to complete homework or studying if needed. The focus is to finish the last few months of the academic and sports season strong.
Add Colleges to Your Notebook and Broaden Your Options
As the recruitment process intensifies, it’s essential to broaden your college options. It’s always beneficial to research schools that are “outside” of your comfort zone. Your son or daughter may discover a college that aligns with their interests and academic goals. By adding and removing colleges from a notebook or list, it’s easier to stay organized during this process.
Familiarize Yourself With Financial Aid Terms
Now is the time for parents and high school student-athletes to become familiar with essential financial aid terms that will prepare them for future planning. Encourage your student to understand the difference between grants, loans, and scholarships. It’s never too early to understand these basics because it will eventually determine the college selection process.
Attend Camps and Clinics
High school student-athletes should use March as an opportunity to scout for summer camps and clinics in areas where they would like to develop their skills and work on their weaknesses. It’s time to start thinking about summer commitments, whether it’s on a team or an individual program. These activities can help improve their skills, learn new techniques and strategies, and showcase their talent for college recruitment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the tasks listed above will keep high school student-athletes on track during a critical month like March. As a parent, it’s essential to support your student-athlete every step of the way during the recruitment process. Remind your student to focus on time management skills, research colleges “outside” of their comfort zone, become familiar with financial aid terms, attend camps and clinics, and build meaningful relationships with your high school coach. By doing so, they’ll be on their way to a successful college preparation journey.