from Carol
Life is like an ever-expanding puzzle. And along the way, we collect the pieces through our impressions. People, experiences, choices and dreams impress and guide us to the places that hold the most precious parts of our growing self. This personal quest is like an adventure and clues to the treasure map are to be deciphered through continuous awareness, observation and inquiry.
A puzzling question that is always on the mind of a student-athlete is "How will I decide where to go to college?" ..This seemingly daunting task can actually be laced with a bit of fun. Think of college as just one piece in the ever-expanding puzzle that is YOU... and you are on a treasure hunt to Crack the CODE.
C = Create your Criteria
What is it that you want from the four years that will be your first college experience? What type of environment will challenge and support you on the next part of your journey? Do you want to live in a big city or a small town? Do you want a big state school or a smaller intimate environment where professors know your name? How much tennis do you want to play? Do reading and writing excite you or do you like thinking about numbers? Do you want to be close to home? What is your budget?
O = Optimize your Options and Maximize your Opportunities
What does a college want from you? How are you currently using all that is available to you (options) to increase the number of colleges that will gladly open their academic and athletic doors to you? Are you dedicated to challenging classes and study? Only 2% of high school athletes will receive scholarship dollars to play sports; are you dedicated to becoming one of the 2%? Are you maximizing your efforts to develop discipline in study and training as well as managing your time? These are key elements that coaches and colleges look for in you. What puzzle pieces are you gathering from your experiences to best explain the picture of you?
D = Define your Determining Factors
Do you want to eat, sleep and breathe tennis 100% of the time? Do you love the feeling of pressure to perform on the court? Are you currently practicing and preparing to work like a professional athlete? Can you juggle a heavy work load AND a heavy workout load? This is D1 tennis... it is your primary job. If yes, your tennis level will be a big piece of your puzzle. OR do you want to pursue a career as a cardiologist or lawyer? Perhaps a variety of experiences - like be part of the school choir or serve as class president? Premed or prelaw may take more time than you have available to eat, sleep, and breathe tennis. In defining these factors for yourself, you may decide that a top tier DIII school might be a better fit. If so, your academics will make up a bigger piece of the puzzle.
E = Evaluate the best match
Taking into consideration all of the criteria, opportunities, determining factors - location and size of school, its program offerings, your tennis level, your outcome goals - you can evaluate the next best environment to continue on your journey.
Your PATH
Make it PERSONAL. This is about you. In the quest for your personal path to college, consider visiting campuses close to home as well as visiting as many as possible when you travel. Even if you don't think you are interested, it is a good idea to get the feel of different types and sizes and cultures. Visit with people that have been through the recruiting process. Ask them what they were looking for. Visit with people that are in careers that interest you. People that you admire. Consider the amount of effort you are willing to put forth to ATTAIN your goal. Consider the amount of TIME you are willing to put forth to train, study and serve to create multiple forks of opportunities on your path. What excites you? Where is your HEART? Can you find a place that challenges and excites you?
Putting together the pieces of a puzzle and deciphering a hidden code can be a playful journey... and isn't that what life and learning are all about?
Have fun and happy hunting!
~Carol