Think. Swim. College.

There are 168 hours in one week. I practice about twenty hours a week. A meet usually take about five hours. On average I take 17 credits a semester, which means 17 hours of lecture per week. You should sleep on average 8 hours a night, so 56 hours a week. Those three things already take up 98 hours a week, which doesn't include studying or eating. How will you manage the remaining 70 hours (ten hours per day)?

It's very demanding. You feel tired all the time. The food is okay but questionable compared to your mom's cooking. However, you have an amazing support group that no one else has: your team. Those forty people going through the same struggles as you are your family. The athletic department is also on your side. They will help you with financial, academic or personal issues. Read this article for more. 

Since you are reading this, your sport is important to you. That, along with academics should be top two on your list. What else is important to you? What do you want to get out of your college experience? Here are a list of things to consider: - Social life, Partying, Relationship - Internships, Work-Study, Networking - Job - Vacations Keep in mind that you can be AMAZING at two or three things. 

If a coach asks you for something, make sure to respond with the information in a timely manner. For example, if you have a week to sign your NLI don't wait until the very last day to sign and fax it to your future coach. During signing week you should already know what school you are attending. By waiting until the last minute, you are running an unnecessary risk. Another Example:   Your coach asks for your physical paperwork to be faxed to him by June 1st. You have had over a month to schedule a doctor's visit and inform the doctor of the tests/vaccinations you need. You wait last minute and your doctor visit is on May 30th and you don't get your lab results until June 3rd. The paperwork gets sent to coach by June 5th. Now, your paperwork is almost a week behind every other student-athlete who submitted it on time. Then in August, you find out you're missing an official stamp or signature on your paperwork for one vaccination and you can't practice with the team...

Early Decision is a binding contract- if you are accepted you must attend this university and withdraw all other college applications. You can only apply ED to one school. Early Action is a nonbinding contract- if you are accepted you can choose whether or not you want to go to that university. You can apply to as many schools as you desire EA. Both ED and EA have priority over anyone applying by the Regular Decision deadline. If the school you are applying to offers EA, apply early! You are more likely to be considered for scholarships part of your college application. Only apply ED to a school you know you would go to. If it's your top choice or if you have already been recruited for this university, Early Decision is for you. Ot, erwise stick to Early Action or Regular Decision.

In terms of recruiting, right now coaches are the freest to talk to you. They are handling paperwork for their incoming freshman athletes, planning the season, budgeting, etc. Office type of stuff. Which means now is a good time for you to get to know them. Schedule phone calls and skype calls, ask questions and understand what they expect of you. The more of a personal relationship you develop with the coach, the more likely he is to vouch for you whether it be admissions or scholarships. If you are a rising senior in high school, start on your college applications. Study for SATs if you are taking them again. Just because you're not in school doesn't mean you get to slack. The grind never ends.