How to prepare for college as a student-athlete
Interview with a College Tennis Player on Preparing for College Life
Preparing athletically and mentally is the key to making the most of your sports scholarship. Understanding how to prepare for college as a student-athlete goes beyond skill and talent.
As an athlete in the college system, you’re stepping into a structured environment where you’re both a student and an athlete. Here, mental preparation is just as important as physical training. Juggling academics, sports, a new culture, and speaking English every day if you’re not used to it isn’t always easy.
Mariia Iordanova got recruited to the University of Louisiana Monroe and earned a tennis scholarship. We had the chance to ask her about how she prepared herself before heading off to college as a tennis student-athlete.
1. How did you prepare mentally and physically before leaving for college in the U.S.?
“Before leaving for the US, I think I was physically ready. But mentally, I spent a long time preparing myself for a long trip without my family, a new life in a new place, and a lot of work on the court and at the university.”
2. What were some key things you focused on improving before starting college sports?
“I think one of the most important things I tried to improve was my English and maybe my grades for admission. I also tried to improve my physical fitness because I knew that there would be grueling training at the university.”
3. Did you receive any advice or tips from coaches or mentors? If so, what were they?
“I received a lot of advice from coaches about my game on the court, but there were also a lot of recommendations about studying in America, communication, documents and in general what to expect from moving to the University.”
4. How did you balance preparing for academics alongside your athletic training?
“My training plan before moving didn’t change but I started to do a lot of my studies to get good grades at the end of school and I also started to practice English more because I had problems with it.”
5. Was there anything unexpected or challenging about preparing for such a big transition?
“I think the hardest thing that happened to me during my preparation was a lot of studying, which made me very nervous about the entrance exams and final exams at school.”
6. What were the most important items you packed for your academic and athletic life?
“For the move I tried not to take much, so for studying I took only a laptop and for athletic life only my tennis equipment.”
Prepare for the college life with Keystone Sports Performance Program
Preparing both mentally and physically is crucial for all students heading off to college, especially those on sports scholarships aiming to train and compete at the college level. That’s why we launched Keystone Sports Performance Program earlier this year.
Designed with the unique challenges of student-athletes in mind, we’ve partnered with two internationally renowned experts in the field, Dr. Darren Treasure and Clive Brewer, to create a comprehensive sport performance program. With a focus on both mental and athletic performance, this program supports you in performing at your best, both as an athlete and a student.
Learn more about Keystone Sports Performance Program and request more info to access the tools and support you need to succeed as a student-athlete!
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About the author
Malin Büchner
Malin Büchner, Marketing Project Manager at Keystone Sports, holds a Master’s degree in Sport Management. With her experience as a Division 1 tennis player at Jacksonville State University, she understands the challenges and opportunities that come with being a student-athlete. Malin uses her expertise and passion to help aspiring talents achieve similar experiences and fulfill their dreams of a successful sports and academic career in the USA.
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