Transitioning from high school athletics to college sports can be both exhilarating and overwhelming. Understanding what to expect and how to adapt can make a world of difference, and with the right support, rising first-year college athletes can thrive in their new collegiate environment.

We understand just how exciting AND overwhelming college recruitment can be. To help student athletes and their parents navigate the process, we put together an a discussion of recruitment basics.

Student-athletes face intense physical, mental, and emotional demands. Balancing training, academics, and social life can be overwhelming, and without proper recovery, many athletes experience burnout—a state of exhaustion that leads to decreased motivation, lower performance, and even withdrawal from sport​.

It is incredibly exciting to schedule official visits during college recruitment. And, it is totally normal, expected even, for anxiety to set in as student athletes prepare for their trips. We know that preparation breeds confidence. To support student athletes heading out on official visits, we created a list of questions to ask potential coaches, teammates, and academic advisors.

Navigating college recruitment is tough on student athletes and their parents. Following are some of our top tips for supporting high school students through recruitment.

6 tips for student athletes navigating college recruitment from a former DI student athlete.