The team at Bryant College Coaching has devised a survey to help high school student-athletes heighten self-awareness about their skillsets as they relate to those of successful college student-athletes. These skillsets are broken down into 6 areas: interpersonal skills, coach-ability, self-motivation and discipline, resilience, passion for sport and executive functioning.
- Collegiate athletes with strong interpersonal skills tend to be good teammates. They understand the importance of collaboration and effective communication, and are able to foster a positive environment by prioritizing the team’s success over their own. Student-athletes with strong interpersonal skills excel both individually and collectively, leading to sustained success in their collegiate athletic endeavors.
- Coachability demonstrates a willingness to learn, adapt, and make necessary adjustments to meet the demands of a student-athlete’s sport. Being coachable also fosters a positive and collaborative relationship between the student-athlete and their coaches, promoting effective communication, trust, and a shared commitment to achieving success. When student-athletes work with a college coach (instead of against), they are more likely to maximize their potential and thrive in a competitive collegiate environment.
- The most successful collegiate student-athletes are self-motivated and self-disciplined to go above and beyond. They routinely prioritize nutrition, rest, physical fitness, and mental well-being, to give themselves the best opportunity to perform at their peak level. Their dedication to maintaining prime playing form sets them apart and contributes to their heightened success in college athletics.
- The most resilient student-athletes are able to navigate the various challenges they encounter, such as injuries, losses, or performance slumps, without succumbing to discouragement or giving up. They adapt to changing circumstances, bounce back from setbacks, and maintain a positive mindset, which are essential for long-term success both on and off the field. Additionally, resilience fosters mental toughness and emotional stability, empowering athletes to handle pressure situations effectively and perform at their best when it matters most.
- Collegiate student-athletes with a deep passion for their sport typically have a sense of purpose and fulfillment, which positively impacts their overall well-being and satisfaction in college. They also strongly identify with the athletic community, facilitating social connections and support networks that contribute to academic, athletic and overall success.
- Strong executive functioning skills help college athletes effectively manage their time, stay organized, and make informed decisions. With demanding schedules that involve balancing academics and athletics, these skills help athletes prioritize tasks, set goals, and create efficient schedules. By enhancing decision-making abilities, athletes can problem-solve and make choices that positively impact their performance, leading to overall success.
The scores provided at the end of the survey should serve as a baseline of awareness; highlighting areas for potential growth and indicating readiness for the demands of being a collegiate student-athlete. The greater the disparity between a student-athlete’s score and the total score for each section would suggest a potential deficit in their preparedness as it relates to that specific skill. It is recommended for student-athletes to engage in dialogue with a professional about their scores to better translate what they mean in relation to their personal journey in sport, as well as devise a course of action to fill in any identified gaps. We also pose that the college program best suited for a student-athlete will provide a framework for growth within each skill area.
