What student-athletes should be doing this summer

hand of player with black helmet, selective focusThink just because you’re a high school athlete you’ll get special favors when it comes to getting into college?

Think again!

“The recruitment process is tedious and requires a significant time commitment on the part of the athlete — to say nothing of the time which must be committed to the sport itself,” writes Joie Jager-Hyman, an author and college admissions expert.

“It’s imperative that they make it a priority to get on a coach’s radar and visit schools as soon as possible.”

Jager-Hyman, who wrote B+ Grades, A+ College Application, shared four tips with HuffingtonPost.com about what student-athletes should do this summer before classes start up again:

  • Rising sophomores and juniors should begin by listing potential colleges that could be good fits for academics and athletics.
  • Become familiar with the NCAA’s rules and regulations and the association’s three different classifications.
  • Find good role models — coaches or seniors on your team — who can give advice.
  • Work hard on your athletic skills so you’ll be sharp when your sport is back in season.