The following are a few simple steps that will guide you through this transition:
A.) Be sure that all the paperwork for the NCAA Clearinghouse is turned in. Paperwork like official transcripts (directly from your high school), your SAT or ACT score reports, any special exemptions, etc. must be submitted in plenty of time. There is nothing worse than working out all summer, getting to college, and learning that you must sit out of practice because you have yet to be certified by the Clearinghouse.
C.) Stay out of trouble in high school and finish in good academic standing. Your admission and athletic eligibility is determined on your final high school transcript. Don't jeopardize your acceptance because of "senioritis" or some foolish prank.
Step 3: Don't gain too much weight. Many incoming college freshmen believe that they need to be bigger to compete at the college level. Too big means, too slow and slow does not make it any level. If you have a question about your weight contact your college coach and ask him what weight you need to come to camp at.
Good luck as you near one of the most important experiences of your life. If you "plan your work, and then, work your plan," you are sure to have a wonderful college experience!
The Sport Source has a mission "to provide the perfect link between a student-athlete, a specialized sports program and a well-rounded college education." Since their inception, The Sport Source has developed numerous strategic alliances with high schools and national/international youth sports organizations that have encouraged them to introduce new services and continue to help improve college guidance and scholarship opportunities for students.
The Transition From High School to College Football
Step 1: Be sure all of the necessary paperwork is up to speed!
Step 2: Get your head out of "senioritis" in high school and into this great challenge of college football, as soon as you can. Enjoy the prom and the graduation parties. But, when they are overget ready to move on! College and college football is competition where only the strong survive. Start working out and getting that "winning" attitude that will help you be successful in the collegiate classroom and on the collegiate football field.
Editor's Note: This is an excerpt of The Sport Source Official Athletic College: Football.
The transition from high school to college football is certainly a big step, but not an impossible one, if handled correctly. If you have made a good decision on the level of play that you are going to compete at, then the transition should be relatively the same, regardless of what Division you have chosen or maybe, what Division has chosen you.
Step 4: Get yourself mentally ready for the demands that you will be facing in college as a student and as a college football player. You will encounter many challenges and you will probably fail at many things, early. This could be everything from getting lost on campus, to losing your room key, to having that nice, smiling recruiting coach turn into a hard-nosed, demanding taskmaster that you can't seem to please on the field. You will adjust and grow from these experiences, if you approach them with a determined, never-give-up attitude.
B.) Be sure that all the paperwork for the college that you are attending is completed and on time. This includes the admissions application, the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), the college's financial aid application, student health forms (mandatory if you live on campus), campus housing requests/deposits, etc. Be very aware that you are both a student and an athlete and each role requires you to complete specific paperwork. You will make your first few days on campus very hectic if you have not filled out something correctly.
This article was contributed by Tom Lamb, Head Football Coach and Athletic Director at Natick (Mass.) High School. Coach Lamb is a member of the Massachusetts Football Hall of Fame. Coach Lamb also coached at the collegiate level, serving a four-year tenure as the offensive coordinator at Northeastern University (Boston). He has been fortunate to coach many great players, including current NFL star, Doug Flutie.
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