By Angela Charlton, PhD
Manager of Player Engagement
“In order to achieve the goals you set and be successful in your education while you are attending school, you have to approach it with the same mind set as you approach the sport you are most passionate about and don’t accept failure as an option.” ~ Omar X Easy, PhD, 5-year NFL veteran
I can’t believe the summer is over and it’s already time for my son to go back to school! For him, his summer is coming to an end yet just beginning because he has spent most of his time in summer basketball leagues. Nevertheless, just like everyone else it’s time for him to make that shift and get his mind right for returning to school.
The beginning of the school year or semester is a good time to reflect on what you did and didn’t accomplish last year and what things or people distracted you from accomplishing those goals. Utilize the tips that Tom Kowalski offers in his article regarding goal setting to assist you with setting new goals for the sport you are playing as well as some academic goals.
As a student-athlete, you take extraordinary steps such as strenuous work-outs and training to be ready when the season starts. You go hard each and every day to get your body physically ready for the game. So why not take those same steps towards your academic goals?
Along with all the pressures and physical stress of being a student-athlete come a lot of mental stress, academic pressures, and relationships to manage. At times, it may be difficult to manage all of the things you are faced with, so there are individuals at your high school, college, or university such as a counselor or academic advisor to assist you. If your body hurts or you’re injured, you go and see the trainer or doctor. Use that same philosophy with your life.
Handling these off-the-field issues may be the determining factor between being a good player and a great one.