The end of the school year is an exciting time for our senior-year high school student-athletes, as it marks the close of one journey and brings excitement for the start of another. Many students have by now signed their scholarships and decided on where they will attend college. This is of course an exciting benchmark, however, there is a lot of work that still needs to be done when you commit to a college. Besides graduating and finishing with a strong GPA, just think about the whole application process, visa, and much more.
Furthermore, it is also important to be as prepared as possible for your arrival in the USA. Here are some helpful tips to maximize your time between high school graduation and college to ensure you are ready for the USA:
Stay competitive!
Now that you have secured your scholarship, it is a mistake to assume that you no longer need to compete and demonstrate results. It is crucial to keep developing in your sport and to gain as much high-level competitive experience before you arrive at campus. If you don’t stay competitive, it is possible that you will find yourself starting your college journey on the bench/sidelines.
Focus on your fitness
One of the biggest adjustments many student-athletes face in their first semester of college is getting used to the intensity of physical fitness training. If strength training is not something you have focussed on yet, now is the time to get started with it.
Develop a schedule
It can be challenging, the first few months out of high school, without the structure and routine that you are used to. During these times, it will require you to be more self-disciplined than ever when it comes to your sport. We recommend talking to your college coach about a program to get you in shape. Then develop a weekly schedule to get yourself ready for the upcoming school year.
Get a part-time job
The summer break after graduating from high school is a great time to earn some extra money for college. Many of our student-athletes work part-time jobs so that they have some extra spending money when they arrive in the US. It is always useful to have some additional pocket money to put towards off-campus social activities with friends and teammates.
Everybody’s situation is different, but the most important takeaway of all is to be prepared before going to college!
