Get the Grades: Get Organized

It has been a few years since the  NCAA changed the  academic requirements  for first year student-athletes. To be eligible to play ball for D1 schools, you will need  at least a 2.3 GPA in your core courses. You must also meet minimums on standardized test scores. Keep in mind the  2.3 GPA is a  minimum. Many  coaches will be looking for players with higher GPAs. That means  you can waste all your hard work on the field if you don’t keep your grades up in high school.  Good grades and test scores are also a great way to earn scholarship money and reduce the costs of attending college.  School is starting again, so we’re re-posting some advice from  the  last  few  years  to help you get organized.    

As a student and an athlete, you don’t have time to waste.  You should get organized before school, practice, travel, and games become overwhelming. Here are 3 important habits that can help you.

Keep things in the same place. 

When you make it a routine to put things back in the same place (homework, school supplies, gear, books, etc.) you will not believe how much time you’ll save. If you’re not the neatest guy at home,  set up boxes in your room and use a marker to label what you’ll put in them. At least you won’t have to look through your whole room for stuff.  You can keep homework assignments on your desk on in a large envelope tacked to the wall.  It only takes an extra minute to put things in the same place versus 20-30 minutes to find things that are buried. And you know, things always get lost when you  don’t  have time to find them.  

Use a calendar. 

No one can remember all the assignments, appointments, practices, workouts, games, birthdays, and parties that a high school athlete has to deal with. These days, you  might have a  calendar on your phone. If not, you can use a paper planner  or online calendar. If you have to wait to put things in your calendar (no calendar on your  phone), keep a small pad of paper and a pen  in your backpack  or gear bag to use when you first get  dates and times that you need to write down. Make it a habit to put those notes into your calendar every day.  College athletes have to manage their time (sometimes to the minute). Get started now.

Everyday, look a week ahead. 

You’ll save time by knowing where things are and having deadlines and appointments written down. But you have to  use  this information to really make it work. You know it helps to look ahead to your next game and opponent. You’ll find it also helps to look at what must done in the next 7 days.  In high school, many  students do things at the last minute.  But with so much to do, you can’t do that. Make it a habit every day to look over all of the things you need to do and make a plan. With 7 days, you can set aside time to finish up assignments, get in extra batting practice,  and  make it to the movies with friends.  

Getting and keeping organized will pay off with less stress, better grades, and more free time. Also, college coaches and scouts are looking for guys who can deal with a high pressure environment, athletically and academically. Be the guy who shows up on time, with everything you need, all the time. Be the guy that college coaches are looking for. 

Want more academic advice? Check out a review of KPB’s academic support articles here.