Do you know your “what” and “why” when it comes to preparing for college as a high school softball player?

When it comes to your college planning and college softball recruiting processes, the best place to start is by really understanding your “what” and your “why.”

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The “what” means figuring out what you want out of your college experience generally speaking. “Why” is an important follow-up question: Why do I want to play college softball?

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Getting what you want out of college

As you’re moving through high school and thinking about college, keep thinking about what type of college experience you want to create for yourself. Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

What type of work do I want to be doing after college, what field(s) can I see myself being excited to work in after I graduate?

Which colleges have the fields of study and other elements that will help me get into the career I want to pursue after college?

Do I want to attend a four-year college or university, or am I thinking more about starting at a junior college?

Do I want to attend a big university or a small college?

Do I want to stay closer to home or am I excited to move far away?

What other things are important to me when it comes to creating the best college experience?

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What other questions do you think should be added to this list? Send us your feedback.

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Is playing college softball right for you?

The college softball recruiting process can be a grind. Before committing to the time and hard work it will take to find your spot on a college softball roster, ask yourself, “Why do I want to play college softball?”

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If playing softball in college is really what YOU want, then prioritizing all the things that will need to get done will seem like less of a burden than if you’re doing it for other people, or reasons.

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Be comfortable talking to your high school coach, your parents/guardians, or anyone you normally share your thoughts with about this question. You should never feel alone during the college softball recruiting process – people who care about your wellbeing will support you on this journey.

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Here are a few questions you can ask yourself, and talk about with your supporters, to help confirm that playing college softball is what you want to do:

Is playing college softball something I want to be a part of my college experience, or am I pursuing it for someone else?

What am I most excited about when it comes to playing softball in college?

What am I most uncertain about when it comes to playing softball in college?

Have I thought about how playing college softball will help me after college – things like developing teamwork and time management skills, creating lifelong friendships with teammates, or other benefits?