Being a student-athlete already comes with its own stress, featuring the long and hard process when applying to colleges. It also comes with a lot of expectations from everyone, starting with your parents, your teachers, the schools you are applying to, and yourself. When you are a student-athlete, the recruiting process is just one more thing to add to your plate and keep track. 

All student-athletes have something in common: they are all passionate about the sport they play, including myself. The passion and love I have for my sport, volleyball, is very significant, mostly because it runs in my family. I've been playing volleyball ever since I was little, and I've loved it so much I decided to continue playing at the collegiate level. There was a lot to think about when applying to colleges and seeing which was the best fit. 

Related: Picking a School and Team You Love

The recruiting process for all student-athletes is a stressful one, but what heightens the stress is that there has to be a step-it-up mentality because we are trying to get recruited to represent a certain university or college. 

There is always hunger for more challenges, and as athletes, we are all competitive. We're competing against other recruits, so one of the most important steps is to leave a good impression on your recruiters, even if you choose to not go with that school. Making a good impression is the best way to be remembered and maybe even contacted in the future with offers and positions. There are many ways to continuously make a good impression on recruiters, and here are 6 of my favorites:

1. Always be respectful and treat them as a person of authority. They have to feel respected and looked up to; no recruiter ever wants to have an athlete that is just rude. They want to recruit good student-athletes that can represent the university or college in a good way.
2. Keep in contact with them as much as possible and respond in a timely manner. This will help the recruiters see that your interest is genuine and that you are taking the recruiting process seriously. They want athletes that will be committed and devoted to the sport, assuming all responsibilities that come with such a task.
3. Always give more than what they ask for. Recruiters will always look for someone who is willing to take it a step further and can have the potential to become a good leader within the team. Coaches want athletes that are “easy to recruit,” and the more info and resources you give them, the easier you are to recruit.
4. Never be afraid to ask questions. This will allow your recruiter realize that you are getting yourself as prepared as possible, and you want to have as much information as possible. This will not only benefit your recruiter, but it will also allow you to have a lot of information in order to make a good decision on where you want to go. 

Related: 37 Questions to Ask College Coaches Before You Commit

5. If possible, go on a tour and get to know them as much as possible. This will help you get to know the coach, and help the coach get a better understanding of who you are. A campus tour will also create the possibility of meeting people that are already on the team, or other prospective student-athletes. 
6. Ask current student-athletes what the coach is like and try to get to know him/her better. This will allow you to know how to act and what the coach may expect of you!

Related: Rate your Coaches, Facilities and Campus Visits

During my recruiting process and through the summer before my freshman year of college, I did all of these steps, and it really helped me with finding a good team and getting to know my coach and teammates. It is always important to be aware of what kind of recruiter you are talking to and if they make you feel comfortable. No student-athlete wants to be in an environment in which they will not feel comfortable. Being a student-athlete is an experience to enjoy and get the most out of during high school or college. 

Never be afraid to talk to as many recruiters as you can! This can show other recruiters that there is competition for them to recruit you. 

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* Originally published on March 8, 2022, by Lilia Farach