How to Be a Successful Student Athlete

How can we obtain success in our lives? There are various life skills that will help create the proper atmosphere and environment to allow us to achieve the success we deserve. Being a "professional" is a mindset and in this class we are going to dissect the different life skills that can lead us down the correct path. Although there is no easy way to success, these life skills will give us the opportunities we deserve. Join me and take a look through my lens as a professional athlete that was also able to achieve dean's list during my University career. 

*NOTE
*This course is for all students and all sports* 
This class is inspired by my experience in school leading up to and achieving one of my ultimate goals, which was obtaining a NCAA Division 1 full ride basketball scholarship to attend University. In my elementary, middle school, and high school years I learned the importance of these life skills to be a successful student and what it takes to be successful in life. 


        *Course Structure*

Week 1: Introduction

Welcome:
- In this class students will get the opportunity to share what sport(s) they are involved in and their current grade level. Each student will discuss their educational and sport goals.
Getting Started:
We will start to speak about how we can be successful in the classroom and in our respective sports.

We will discuss these topics and use real life examples:
- Effective Communication
- Paying attention in class
- Participating
- Punctuality 
- Asking questions
- Taking notes
- Achieving good grades
- Remembering to have fun

Students will be given the opportunity to engage in class. They will get an opportunity to express why these life skills are important and how they can implement them into their daily life. 

Week 2: Thinking for Yourself

Defining Your Character:
- Who do you want to be in life and how to you want to be viewed
Setting Your Goals:

- How to create small and long term goals

Making Plans:
- Create a game plan that will lead to success in the classroom and in your respective sport

We will discuss these topics and use real life examples:
- You have to be disciplined
- It takes competitiveness
- It takes self-confidence
- It takes focus
- It takes commitment
- It takes good time management
- Responsibility
- Remembering to have fun


Week 3: Taking Care of Yourself

We will speak about our eating habits and sleeping patterns. We will discuss how this has an affect on our performance in the classroom and within our respective sports.
We will also discuss the submission/application process when applying to a college. What to prepare for and how to create a successful application. 

We will discuss these topics and use real life examples:
- Extra work
- Stay positive
- Stay motivated
- Eating Habits
- Sleeping habits
- Decision making
- Mamba mentality (Inspired by Kobe Bryant)
- Remember to have fun


Week 4: Importance of Communication

Communicating Effectively:
- Speaking to our coach or teachers
- Having an open discussion and the willingness to listen to our teacher and coach
- Constructive criticism 
Being Part of a Team:
- Buying into the team rules
- Being a good group member for projects
- Building trust
Resolving Conflict:
- Be quick to listen and slow to speak
- Finding a solution 
- Do not let negativity carry over
Saying No, Thanks:
- Knowing when to say No
- Having priorities   


Week 5: Being Self-Confident

In a nutshell, self-confidence is your opinion of yourself and your abilities. It can be high, low or somewhere in-between. 
We will discuss areas in our life that are our strengths, for example, cleaning my room, math, or sports etc.
We will discuss areas in our life we would like to improve, for example, homework, listening, or taking responsibility etc
Students will have the opportunity to share this with the class or personally write it down. 

Week 6: The Conclusion

We will conclude everything we learned and have an open class discussion about it. Discussing topics such as; self confidence, nutrition, time management, effective communication, and more!

*We will go in-depth about each topic and examples will be provided of what a negative and positive outcome could look like based on our decision making skills.

Students will get a chance to engage and communicate during class. They will be asked to think of examples of how they can use some of these life skills in their current lives.