Freshman Year
Your Freshman year is an important year for you. You will be adjusting to high school life and will have many different clubs, groups, coaches, and teachers offering you opportunities to "get involved". First and foremost, it is important to focus on your grades first. When it comes to high school sports and extracurricular activities, you may have to prioritize things and make some choices to reach "your goals". This is why having a 4-year plan that you can follow each year is paramount to getting to what you want.
Here are some helpful hints and to-dos:
- Focus on your academics; take honors or advanced courses, if possible. Keep your grades up!
- Continue playing club soccer. College coaches will prefer to speak with your club coach about your ability.
- Participate in the Olympic Development Program (ODP) events and go as far as you can go.
- Review grades and goals with family, coach and club college liaison.
- Attend a Gulf Coast Soccer Recruiting Education Seminar and request our College Recruiting Guide
- Attend high school orientation
- Set a four-year academic plan with the school counselor
- Start a college folder to review with your Gulf Coast Soccer Club Coach
- Set academic and athletic goals for yourself
- Create a draft “long” list of colleges you are interested in
- Be active in school activities and volunteer or community service projects that interest you
- Create an academic and athletic profile/resume to send to college coaches; include both academic and athletic accomplishments
- Keep track of any awards you win (academic or athletic) so you can include them on your profile next year.
- Attend college showcase events
- Attend a residential summer camp at a school you are interested in
- Attend extra training sessions, skills training, and private lessons
- Enjoy yourself – soccer should be fun!
If you have any questions or need personal assistance, please contact our college placement liaison at communications@gcysc.com