A Game Plan for Life: Preparing Student-Athletes for Their Future
Student-athletes gain valuable skills from sports, but preparing for life after their athletic career requires more than just documenting their on-field achievements. The key to future success, whether in college admissions or job interviews, lies in building a personal narrative and showcasing soft skills with concrete evidence.
The article outlines a simple, four-step process for students to develop a strong personal statement, a critical tool for college and job applications.
A 4-Step Guide to Crafting a Personal Statement
- Define Success: Encourage students to engage in self-reflection to understand what success means to them, both in terms of their character and their accomplishments. This introspection is the foundation for a compelling narrative.
- Freewrite to Find Your Topic: Have students do a quick “freewriting” exercise. They should choose a few broad topics and write continuously for 15 minutes on each one. This helps them explore ideas without the pressure of creating a perfect first draft.
- Draft with an Open Mind: The initial draft is meant to be a rough starting point. The goal is to connect their personal history to their future goals. As UConn’s Writing Center notes, this first attempt is supposed to feel “half-baked.”
- Review and Refine: The final stage involves revising the essay. Students should ask themselves one key question: “Is this truly about me?” The final product should be a genuine, personal story that highlights their unique qualities.
This process, which helps students go beyond their athletic stats, is essential because sports are temporary. By learning to tell their own story, student-athletes are equipped to succeed in whatever career path they choose after their playing days are over.