Gettin’ Schooled with Grayson: If you got injured, would you still be happy with your decision?
Over the summer, Grayson Williams-Krebs was an outstanding addition to the CoachUp family as a hard-working intern that knows the passion required to play sports after high school. Although she’s in the middle of her senior year at the University of Puget Sound, we realized that Grayson should continue her work with us outside of the office. That’s why we launched a new series called Gettin’ Schooled with Grayson!
Check back every other week as Grayson will detail her journey through collegiate sports, answer the tough questions, and help athletes that need inspiration along the way!
Question #1: How do I know if I’m ready for the next level?
Question #2: The Must-Know Terms of Recruitment
Question #3: Should I contact a coach?
Question #4: How do I utilize my high school coaches?
Question #5: How do I choose a coach?
If you get injured would you still be happy with your decision? What questions should I ask myself when I decide?
I’ve been struggling with back issues for the last three years and there were nights that I couldn’t sleep due to back pain, times my feet went numb, and many tears because I thought I’d have to tell my team that I could no longer play. In those moments, however, was when I realized I couldn’t be happier with my decision to attend the University of Puget Sound, as strange as it sounds. I realized that even if I was robbed of one of my greatest passions, I would be so happy at my school and could still grow as a person.
This is, believe it or not, in large part because of the questions I asked myself during the decision-making process. Right after I announced that I was going to the University of Puget Sound, I immediately received some criticism because it’s a Division III school. It was crazy to me that people thought I’d just decide my next four years only on soccer, something I had no plan on continuing after graduation. I chose my school based on what was going to help me in the future, where I’d have the best impact, and what fit best for me academically.
It’s important to ask yourself questions outside the scope of your sport when making decisions regarding your future. Unfortunately, injuries have become a part of sports and, at times, can force you to end your career. But if you look at the larger picture, you can still be happy with your decision even if you’re not on your athletic team. As you’re making decisions on your collegiate career, here are some questions to keep in mind:
- Does this school have my anticipated major?
- Do I like the location and proximity of the school?
- Do I want a small school or a big school?
- Are there other activities and clubs on campus I could get involved in?
- Do I see myself growing here?
- Will the school challenge me intellectually?
- Can the team use my skills?
- How do I mesh with the team?
- Can I see myself playing for this coach?
- Do my values align with the team’s core values?
It seems like a no-brainer, but keeping these questions in mind can increase your college value and will lead to a better future. Take advantage of non-official and official visits as seeing a campus for yourself can help you get a better feel of a school. Ultimately, college is a time to find much growth, so picking a school that challenges you in different aspects of your life is vital to your happiness and overall future.
Remember, someday you will finish playing sports — if so, what’s your next plan?
Best,
GWK
