Many times student athletes are asked to devote every waking
moment to developing and fine tuning their skills. This is all to give them a
competitive edge in hopes of being the next Shawn Johnson or LeBron James. Being
involved in every recreational and youth league activity through the on and off
seasons can be just as diminishing as it helpful to a student athletes overall
development. A healthy balance of academics and recreation needs to be
instilled at a young age for all students alike.
I can
remember when I was getting ready for graduation it seemed like there were so
many decisions that needed to be made. Being able to determine what factors
held more weight in my decision making process was tough. What schools to apply
for, what will be my major, how will I pay for this? All these elements must be
considered when choosing your future education plans. Don’t let it overwhelm
you; stay focused on what is important. Also, remember why it is that you are
going to college… for your education. You cannot strictly base your decision on
athletics. Statistics show the likelihood of becoming a professional athlete is
not in your favor. But don’t let that deter your dream of becoming a college athlete.
The experiences and rewards of being on a team in college are immense.
There are several lessons I try and
teach my students to help them grow into well-rounded individuals. Our world is
always changing including people and their ideas. Problems can occur in every
aspect of your life. You cannot always control every situation that you must
deal with, but keeping an open mind can help you deal with these problems in a
productive manner. My grandfather always told me, “Life is 10 percent you make
it, and 90 percent how you take it.” Being a collegiate student athlete, you
will have to deal with study groups, teammates, and possibly co-workers. So
forgive freely and build relationships with people that are based on respect
and understanding.
Your best weapons against the
unexpected are knowledge and experience. Seek out wisdom from friends, family,
or classmates who have been in a similar situation. Be kind and always express
thanks to those people that have helped you get you where you are today. If you
are not able to find someone who has been in the same boat, don’t panic! Keep
confidence in yourself. It is very easy to think that you won’t get your
research paper done, get an “A” on your final, or be ready for the big meet
this weekend. Proper preparation will help balance the many challenges you
might face as a student athlete. Developing the skills now while you are still
in high school will put you ahead of the game for college.
Imagine more. Once
you have decided what your plans are after high school, don’t feel like you are
stuck to what you originally chose. Exploring your options is one of the many
luxuries of being a young adult. After determining your goals you need to then
decide how you will achieve them. Keep your eye on the ball but always plan for
the unexpected. Remember Murphy’s Law, “What can go wrong, will go wrong.” You
can read all the books or hear all the motivational speakers, but only you know
if you are prepared for what lies ahead. Remember, no matter how hard the task
at hand, no matter how impossible it may seem, keep confidence in yourself and
do what it takes to win.