RETURNING TO SCHOOL 

If, like most students, you will be returning to school within the next few weeks, make a plan to get your high school year off to the best possible start.  It is important to “kick-start” your new high school year both academically and athletically.  For your sport, begin an aggressive workout schedule to get yourself in shape and build your strength, speed, and endurance by implementing a weight lifting program under the supervision of your high school coach or other strength and conditioning professional. 

Even more important - academically you should prepare and do everything possible to get your new school year off to its best possible start.  As baseball and softball players especially will understand, the correlation between batting averages and grades is very relevant - it is much easier to maintain a high batting average than it is to raise it.  So start your new school year by maintaining good study habits.  Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you can catch up later.  Don’t procrastinate!  Remember that sports will undoubtedly require a lot of your time later too, and if you are like most students, you won’t want to miss sports later on to catch up on the studying that you didn’t get done on time!  Stay disciplined from the beginning.  Get ahead, or at the very least keep up with your work assignments.  You will find it much easier in the long run. 

Seniors similarly should make every effort to avoid “senioritis”.  First semester of your senior year especially, is not the time to be taking it easy.  Many college coaches will require transcripts and report cards that include your first semester grades so ignore the temptation and treat your academics as seriously as you treat your sports.  No matter what peer pressure or other temptations you encounter, remember that you might well pay the price for being lazy in the months ahead if you don’t take care of your most important business first – academics!

 REMINDER – If you are a junior, get a jump on your year by registering now for the fall ACT and/or SAT tests.  If you are a senior and you either haven’t taken a test yet, or you would like to improve your score, be sure to register now for one of the fall tests.  Many colleges will want your test scores included with any early applications, so If you want or need your test results back in time for early applications, be sure to sign up now for the fall testing dates listed on our Things To Do in August page.