Unfortunately for rookie college athletes, your freshman year will most likely be one of the hardest. But on the bright side, it's likely because you just need some time to adjust to the new demands of college. A lot of rookie college athletes find their new responsibilities to be demanding given the balance that has to exist between academics and athletics. With that in mind, here are some recommendations for your first year of college:

Be familiarized with your campus

Most colleges have campus maps posted on campus or online. And don't just know your campus–get involved! It can be difficult with sports and school, but finding a meaningful club or organization can help you get to know your campus and your peers better.

Related: Rate your Coaches, Facilities, and Campus Visits

Do not miss classes early on

It's hard to make up work you miss early in the semester, so keep up with your workload. An easy way to do this is to find an accountability partner in class and hold each other accountable for getting work done.

Organize your time

Time management is your best friend as a college athlete. An easy way to stay organized is to get a planner and write down all of your important due dates and competitions. You can also use a virtual planner (like Google Calendar) to stay organized digitally.

Related: 11 Ways To Perfect Your Time Management Skills as a College Athlete

Ask a lot of questions

Don't be afraid to ask for help! Chances are, there are lots of upperclassmen and faculty around who are more than willing to help you adjust (but they won't know what you need unless you ask).

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* Originally published on September 7, 2022, by Carlos Carrera