9 Major Mistakes Athletes Make Choosing a College

Where are you going next year? What are your plans for college? Will you still compete?

If you are approaching your senior year of high school, I am sure you have been hearing the above questions a lot! Choosing a college is a meticulous and often stress inducing time. Add on the desire to compete at the next level and there is even more to contemplate.

There are a lot of things to consider during the recruiting and college selection process. Learn from these common mistakes to avoid making irrational and uninformed decisions.

9 Major Mistakes Student Athletes Make In College Recruiting Process:

1. Not understanding the rules and regulations. The NCAA has rules and regulations for their coaches and the recruiting process. It is frustrating, often confusing, but it is NOT personal. Many athletes give up on a program or coach because they don’t feel they’ve been recruited enough, yet often times, they just don’t understand that the amount of communication and visits is limited. More information on Recruiting Process HERE.
2. You’ve been a fan since you were a kid. You have enjoyed tailgates with family and friends since you were in pigtails. You have posters and memorabilia signed by your favorite players. When you imagined college, you saw yourself here dressed in your favorite colors. However, you are not going to school to be a fan. You are going to play. Don’t be distracted by the nostalgia and the fanatics of college. Remember you have a specific purpose to play your own game.
3. Putting all your eggs in one basket. This mistake is often associated with the point above. In your mind, you have always felt you should and would go to a particular school. Therefore, you don’t apply to other schools, you don’t go on any other school visits, and you don’t talk to any other coaches. This is a mistake. You need to weigh your options and find a program, coach and school that fits you best. You could very well end up at the school you always imagined, but this way you’ll know for certain it’s the right place for you.
4. All your friends are going to school there. Right now, in high school, you and your friends have similar schedules, similar lifestyles, similar interests. In college, those things change. Especially if you’re an athlete and they are not. Friendships evolve, and putting all your trust in the friendships you have now isn’t wise. Your friends need to make the choices that are best for them, and so do you.
5. Your boyfriend goes to school there too. Similar to above, due to the demands of college, and the changes that coincide with growing up, ALL relationships evolve, and some even dissolve. If love is meant to be, it will last. Sacrificing your own dreams and ambitions will only hinder your relationship. Make the best choice for YOU and your future goals, then worry about the boyfriend.
6. Committing too early. It is okay to not know where you are going to college on the first day of your senior year… the first day of practice… by Christmas!! Everyone is talking about their future plans. Your aunts, uncles, mother’s friends, neighbors, teachers… Everyone wants to know. But their curiosity does not mean you have to have an answer. Yes, you should be narrowing down options. Yes, you should be applying to those options. Yes, you should take recruiting visits if you’re asked. But, NO, you do not have to sign on the dotted line because everyone else is. Take your time. Focus on the process, not just the result.
7. Going for the money. Scholarships are helpful and can swing one school over the other. Yet, it is easy to get starry-eyed and look just at the dollar amount without taking into consideration all the other important aspects of college life. Like your major. Or size of school. Or your teammates. Or coaching style. Money is important, but so are many other aspects of your next four years.
8. Listening to too many voices. There are going to be well-intentioned people that offer you advice. There will also be a lot of unsolicited advice thrown your way, maybe through peers, or neighbors, or even the media. It can be overwhelming to listen to what everyone else thinks is best for you. Know who you trust the most and who has your best interests at heart. Learn to smile and nod at all the others.
9. Not knowing what you want. This may be the biggest mistake of all, while also being the hardest to answer. When you don’t know what you want out of your college athlete experience, it is probably easier to get swayed by friends, money or pressure. Yet, it is so important to figure this out. Do you want to compete right away? Do you think you can compete at the highest level or a smaller division? Do you want to compete because it’s fun or do you want to accomplish specific accolades? Do you know what you want to major in? These are important questions to ask. If you can’t answer them, then it’s probably best you wait to make a decision until you can.

Chances are you’ve been dreaming about playing in college since you first laced up your shoes. Yes, it is a monumental decision, and yes it is difficult, but enjoy the process. You’ve earned it! Hopefully now, you can avoid these above mistakes and enjoy the journey even more!

Download a College Recruiting Checklist below. It is the perfect tool you need to ask all the right questions during the recruiting and college selection process.

Play Now, Play YOU!

Coach D

What are other mistakes that athletes make during the college selection process?