Is Choosing To Play College Sports The Right Choice For You?
It’s actually not that unusual. You may have been competing in one or several sports for years, and now that you’re ready to graduate, you’re not sure if you want to be recruited to compete at the college level. You may not even be sure where you want to go to school and what you want to study.
Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Competing at a sport in college at any level takes a big commitment. And don’t forget about what may be a heavier academic load in college as well. So, if you’re undecided about whether competing in college is the right choice for you, there are a few things you can do to help decide.
Give Yourself A Preview
The best way to decide if you’re cut out for college competition is to see it for yourself. Find a weekend to visit a nearby college and check out a game. Note the size, speed, and skills of the athletes you see and compare how you might measure up. While you’re there. Check out the campus, the classrooms, the student union, and the amenities. Make note of what you like and what you don’t and, even if you choose not to play a sport in college, you can refer back to it when you’re considering different colleges.
Examine The Rosters of College Teams
If there’s a particular school you’re interested in, check out their roster online. Look at the heights and weights and see how you compare, but don’t stop there. Look at each athlete’s hometown to see if the coach favors recruits from a particular region. If they’re available, look at the athletes bios and to see how they performed in high school.
Then, compare yourself to those athletes, physically and academically, and see how you match up. While the physical data will tell you how you stack up size-wise, be sure to also check the athletes’ majors to see if your preferred area of study fits in with your sport at that school.
Reach Out To Other College Athletes
There’s no one more qualified than a current or former college athlete to give you an overview of college life as a student-athlete. Check with former teammates or former classmates who compete at the college level and get a feel for their daily life, their experience as a recruit, and their life balance between school, athletics, and free time. And don’t forget to ask their opinion of your chances to play at the college level in your sport.
Get An Objective Opinion
Ask your coach to give you an honest evaluation of your skills and where you might find the best fit competing in college. Given their experience and time spent with college coaches, they’re well qualified to give you a feel for how your skills stack up against various levels of college competition.
In addition, consider attending an evaluation camp or showcase. You may not get an in-depth assessment of your abilities, but you’ll be able to clearly see how you compare to other athletes.
There’s nothing wrong with considering all your options before you begin the recruiting process. If you’re not sure about if, or where, you want to compete in college, do some research, ask around to coaches and athletes who’ve gone before you, and make the decision that’s right for you. If you do decide you want to play your sport in college, consider how much of your college life you want to dedicate to pursuing it. Then, choose the school that will offer you the athletic, academic, and social balance you’re looking for.
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