Senior September. Navigating the Path to College Sports: A Senior Athlete’s Guide

Congratulations on entering your senior year as a student-athlete! As an athlete, you’ve likely been preparing for this moment for years. With your final high school season on the horizon, it’s important to start thinking about your future beyond high school. In September, there are several crucial tasks that you should complete in order to stay on track for college recruiting and admissions. In this blog post, we’ll dive into those tasks so that you can stay organized and focused during your senior year.

Explore College Campuses:
During August and September, it’s the perfect time to explore college campuses either in-person or virtually. By visiting a campus, you can get a true sense of the environment and see whether you can envision yourself attending that school. You can also meet with coaches, take tours of the athletic facilities, and attend information sessions about the athletic programs. If you are unable to visit a campus in person, virtual tours are available and allow you to virtually explore campuses and see the facilities from the comfort of your own home. This is your opportunity to get actively engaged with coaches and recruiters and impress them with your passion and dedication to the sport.

Engage on The College Recruiting Playbook Community Forum:
As you navigate your senior year as a student-athlete, it’s important to stay informed and connected with other athletes and experts. Joining The College Recruiting Playbook Community Forum is a great way for you to ask questions, obtain feedback, and stay on top of the latest news and trends in college recruiting. This community is full of students just like you who are going through the same processes and can offer valuable insight based on their own experiences. So, don’t forget about the resources that are available to you in the digital age where you can connect and engage with like-minded individuals with ease.

Focus on Your Academics:
Remember, your academic performance during your senior year is just as important as your athletic performance. During August and September, it’s crucial to prioritize your studies and maintain your GPA. Colleges will look at your overall academic performance, not just your success on the field. So, make sure that you are staying organized with deadlines, assignments, and study schedules. In addition, prioritize the ACT/SAT and AP’s, many of which are offered early in the year before college applications are due.

Create and Refine Your Athletic Resume:
Your athletic resume is a crucial tool for getting noticed by college coaches and recruiters. During August and September, you should work on updating and refining your resume to include any new accomplishments, awards, or statistics. Be sure to have a full roster of your athletic stats, positions, and awards. Consider having someone help you collect and summarize this data from your previous years.

Connect with High School Counselors:
Your high school guidance counselor is a valuable resource for college admissions and recruiting. During August and September, connect with your counselor and keep them informed of your college goals and athletic aspirations. They can offer insight on academic requirements, the application process, and scholarship opportunities. It is important to show them you are confident and dedicated to achieving your goals.

Conclusion:
Navigating your senior year as a student-athlete can be a daunting task. However, by completing these important tasks in August and September, you can stay organized and focused on your future goals. Whether it’s exploring college campuses, engaging with experts on The College Recruiting Playbook and Experts Community Forum, focusing on academics, refining your athletic resume, or connecting with high school counselors, there are many resources available to support you in this process. Remember, you’ve worked hard to get to this point – stay motivated and dedicated to achieving your goals. Good luck!