Are our kids prepared and ready for what happens the day they step on campus as a college freshman baseball player/
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Just watched a documentary on this exact topic. The consensus was that the average freshman was not prepared for the work load in college.
I personally found college easier than HS. That was many years ago. My son also found it an easy transition.
I personally found college easier than HS. That was many years ago. My son also found it an easy transition.
any information on the name of and where a person might see the documentary to which you are referring?
quote:Are our kids prepared and ready for what happens the day they step on campus as a college freshman baseball player
I doubt that anyone or anything can fully prepare them for the rigors and challenges they will experience as a freshman baseball player.
For most, fall conditioning and practices -- not to mention the grueling spring season -- require much more time than experienced during high school. In high school, they probably practiced and lifted a max of 8-10 hours per week in the fall, whereas in college the number skyrockets to 25 or 30 hours.
Add to that the pressure of competing against those who are older and bigger, homesickness, the challenge of sharing a dorm room with someone else, demanding academics, and required study halls that strip away just about all free time, and you end up with a true shock to the system.
You can warn and advise them all you want, but most will not grasp all that is required of them until they experience it firsthand.
It was a Canadian report based on a polling of Professors. It was aired on CTV.
There's a saying that West Point Grads have...
The Corps has... and the rest of the unsaid sentence is, gone to he11
It's a reflection on how every previous class views the changes that have happened to the new classes.
If kids weren't prepared, they'd be flunking out. The old ways have gone the way of the abacus and the slide rule, let's not compare.
The Corps has... and the rest of the unsaid sentence is, gone to he11
It's a reflection on how every previous class views the changes that have happened to the new classes.
If kids weren't prepared, they'd be flunking out. The old ways have gone the way of the abacus and the slide rule, let's not compare.
In our colleges here 1 in 5 college freshmen don't graduate. I don't know if that is good or bad.
CPLZ,
As a VMI alum we have a somewhat similar phrase. "The Corps is not what is once was, and never has been."
My son was a freshman last year and I think his high school prepared him very well for the academic requirements. I believe being a college athlete contributed to his academic success. Mandatory study halls, structured fall practice schedules that require him to do things at a certain time and not do things when he feels like it, etc.., helped him do well in the classroom.
As far as the baseball goes, he was absolutely blown away by the amount of work and time he had to put into it. Son is a catcher so he not only had his own hitting and drills, but had to catch bullpens that would be scheduled at all times during the day. Because of shared facilities his day would often start with weights at 6:30am and end with bullpens at 10:00pm. We often thought we had wasted money on buying a meal plan since the cafeterias were often closed by the time he was able to eat.
As a VMI alum we have a somewhat similar phrase. "The Corps is not what is once was, and never has been."
My son was a freshman last year and I think his high school prepared him very well for the academic requirements. I believe being a college athlete contributed to his academic success. Mandatory study halls, structured fall practice schedules that require him to do things at a certain time and not do things when he feels like it, etc.., helped him do well in the classroom.
As far as the baseball goes, he was absolutely blown away by the amount of work and time he had to put into it. Son is a catcher so he not only had his own hitting and drills, but had to catch bullpens that would be scheduled at all times during the day. Because of shared facilities his day would often start with weights at 6:30am and end with bullpens at 10:00pm. We often thought we had wasted money on buying a meal plan since the cafeterias were often closed by the time he was able to eat.
Yes on that meal plan thing. Just went down to visit and watch a scrimmage this past Saturday. Afterwards we had to go to the grocery store to stock him up with food because the cafeteria really is closed by the time they're done practicing and lifting.
quote:Originally posted by Infield08:quote:Are our kids prepared and ready for what happens the day they step on campus as a college freshman baseball player
I doubt that anyone or anything can fully prepare them for the rigors and challenges they will experience as a freshman baseball player.
For most, fall conditioning and practices -- not to mention the grueling spring season -- require much more time than experienced during high school. In high school, they probably practiced and lifted a max of 8-10 hours per week in the fall, whereas in college the number skyrockets to 25 or 30 hours.
Add to that the pressure of competing against those who are older and bigger, homesickness, the challenge of sharing a dorm room with someone else, demanding academics, and required study halls that strip away just about all free time, and you end up with a true shock to the system.
You can warn and advise them all you want, but most will not grasp all that is required of them until they experience it firsthand.
I agree. Regardless of how prepared one is, you have mentioned some things that often times they are not prepared for, for most college students there is an adjustment period.
TR asked about being prepared for college AND baseball when you first arrive. I don't think most are for what is expected (long hours in the gym, long hours in practice, not getting in the playing time you expected, all the while having to put in 15-18 hours a week in the classroom and another 10 a week in mandatory study hall, etc.) A lot depends on the program, school, as well.
One thing we are striving to do is educate the kids on our team roster---our coaching staff is young ex-college players, yea I have seen the comments on young coaches but I think they can help the players as they learn coaching themselves---we intend to have seminars for the parents and players during the down time at our three remaining tournaments--I fully believe that coaching includes teaching and instruction in all facets of the process and what better way than having two generations talking to the players and parents with regard to our experiences---and the parents know that our phone line/email/PM lines are always open to them.
It is not just playing ball it is learning about all the particulars involved---I like to think that is why our program is a bit different than others
It is not just playing ball it is learning about all the particulars involved---I like to think that is why our program is a bit different than others
Great post TR, also glad to see you are feeling better.
I wish we had a little more information before my son went to college last year. He went to classes from 8am until 2pm than workouts and practice until 6pm and had a class from 6:30pm until 9:30pm three days a week. Tues. and Thurs. (game days) had classes until 12:30pm and games and travel until sometimes and 10:00pm. Did I mention he was a redshirt because of surgery. This year is about the same except no night class. He went to summer school and took two classes that he had to make up because of his surgery and played a 60 game summer league only missed 3 games and never missed classes. Good thing about it all, hopefully we will only have to do this for three more years. Thinking about installing an airhorn to wake him up in the morning.
I wish we had a little more information before my son went to college last year. He went to classes from 8am until 2pm than workouts and practice until 6pm and had a class from 6:30pm until 9:30pm three days a week. Tues. and Thurs. (game days) had classes until 12:30pm and games and travel until sometimes and 10:00pm. Did I mention he was a redshirt because of surgery. This year is about the same except no night class. He went to summer school and took two classes that he had to make up because of his surgery and played a 60 game summer league only missed 3 games and never missed classes. Good thing about it all, hopefully we will only have to do this for three more years. Thinking about installing an airhorn to wake him up in the morning.
For myself, thank goodness my son did listen and seems to be adjusting well in his 1st month. However, he did say that it is even more difficult than I had explained it to him. To even the most prepared student / athlete, it is a very demanding and challenging lifestyle.
TR - I applaud you on your efforts and taking the time to educate the players on the demands of playing college baseball. In my experiences, there will be those that listen and those that don't; however, if only one is better prepared your efforts will not be in vain. At some point, they will all remember your efforts. Nice touch!
TR - I applaud you on your efforts and taking the time to educate the players on the demands of playing college baseball. In my experiences, there will be those that listen and those that don't; however, if only one is better prepared your efforts will not be in vain. At some point, they will all remember your efforts. Nice touch!
This is an excellent topic that can't be talked about too much. Knowledge is power and the more they know before setting foot on campus, the better they will be prepared mentally and physically.
I am especially thankful to Observer 44 because he shared his son's hard earned wisdom with me and my son before he started college. What I remember most about his advice is for the player to try to be in the best physical shape of his life. When he gets to campus he'll work harder than he ever has in his life!
The amazing thing to me is how much my son and his friends (all playing in different college programs) love college baseball. In high school they couldn't get enough time in the cages or throwing. In college they can work as hard and long as they want to because the facilities are always open.
They better be prepared to work hard physically and hit the books hard. Luckily most of the freshmen do have mandatory study hall. And, hopefully along the way they manage to squeeze in some fun times too.
I am especially thankful to Observer 44 because he shared his son's hard earned wisdom with me and my son before he started college. What I remember most about his advice is for the player to try to be in the best physical shape of his life. When he gets to campus he'll work harder than he ever has in his life!
The amazing thing to me is how much my son and his friends (all playing in different college programs) love college baseball. In high school they couldn't get enough time in the cages or throwing. In college they can work as hard and long as they want to because the facilities are always open.
They better be prepared to work hard physically and hit the books hard. Luckily most of the freshmen do have mandatory study hall. And, hopefully along the way they manage to squeeze in some fun times too.
This is a question very much on my mind at this very moment. I am returning from my first trip to visit my son, having spent several days around campus, watching fall scrimmages, etc.
Was he prepared? Probably not well enough. Can he adjust to the demands? I think so.
Whoever said it on this board I think said it best: You better love it. I sent that to my son a couple weeks ago.
So far, by all indications, other than a bit of homesickness and girlfriend-sickness, my son is doing well.
Was he "prepared?" Probably not!
Was he prepared? Probably not well enough. Can he adjust to the demands? I think so.
Whoever said it on this board I think said it best: You better love it. I sent that to my son a couple weeks ago.
So far, by all indications, other than a bit of homesickness and girlfriend-sickness, my son is doing well.
Was he "prepared?" Probably not!
How could he be? There is no way he was prepared for everything he was and is going to have to deal with. Will he adjust and learn? He ll yes.
Thats the beauty of all this. If they were totally prepared and everything was milk and cookies with ice cream on top what would they be learning? What would be the point?
The difference I see in my son this year as a RS Freshman and last year as a Freshman is very clear. He has grown so much as a young man. Is he there yet? No. But neither am I. But its the process of getting there of working towards whatever there is that makes it so special.
Rob after meeting you your wife and Jeff I am very confident that he will be just fine. What a fine young man!
Thats the beauty of all this. If they were totally prepared and everything was milk and cookies with ice cream on top what would they be learning? What would be the point?
The difference I see in my son this year as a RS Freshman and last year as a Freshman is very clear. He has grown so much as a young man. Is he there yet? No. But neither am I. But its the process of getting there of working towards whatever there is that makes it so special.
Rob after meeting you your wife and Jeff I am very confident that he will be just fine. What a fine young man!
I hear what you all are saying and thanks for giving this great advice.
Here is a text conversation recently with son. He has a 17 credit hour workload his freshman first semester:
Him: “I am not having fun in college. I am always stressed out and have no free time. I go from class, to workouts, to studying. My English teacher gives out so much work. I don't know why I have no free time. I am not having any fun and do not even get enough sleep, because I am always having to do something. I just don't get it.”
Me: “I am sorry you are not having fun. It takes time to get adjusted to a new routine. Something I have learned is to try not to dwell on the bad, but enjoy every moment, in the moment.”
Him: “I worry everyday about making straight A’s and if I'm doing good. Then I have baseball to worry about and all. I never feel I can just sit back and relax. But yet there are people that look like they never have anything to do. I just have a lot on my plate.”
Me: “It doesn't help to compare yourself to others. You always have cared a lot about academics, and I am proud of you for it. However, you aren’t the only athlete to have these feelings. This is what the work world will be like also, so bear down for life.”
And then my last text to him:
“There’s an 18 year old Marine sitting in a foxhole in Afghanistan thinking, I am not having any fun…”
That pretty much ended the exchange.
He was fine a day later when he got a high grade on his first Microeconomics exam. Like nothing was wrong at all. “This is a really good school.”
So goes the ebb and flow of a freshman year. Saw the same thing in older daughter's college experience.
Here is a text conversation recently with son. He has a 17 credit hour workload his freshman first semester:
Him: “I am not having fun in college. I am always stressed out and have no free time. I go from class, to workouts, to studying. My English teacher gives out so much work. I don't know why I have no free time. I am not having any fun and do not even get enough sleep, because I am always having to do something. I just don't get it.”
Me: “I am sorry you are not having fun. It takes time to get adjusted to a new routine. Something I have learned is to try not to dwell on the bad, but enjoy every moment, in the moment.”
Him: “I worry everyday about making straight A’s and if I'm doing good. Then I have baseball to worry about and all. I never feel I can just sit back and relax. But yet there are people that look like they never have anything to do. I just have a lot on my plate.”
Me: “It doesn't help to compare yourself to others. You always have cared a lot about academics, and I am proud of you for it. However, you aren’t the only athlete to have these feelings. This is what the work world will be like also, so bear down for life.”
And then my last text to him:
“There’s an 18 year old Marine sitting in a foxhole in Afghanistan thinking, I am not having any fun…”
That pretty much ended the exchange.
He was fine a day later when he got a high grade on his first Microeconomics exam. Like nothing was wrong at all. “This is a really good school.”
So goes the ebb and flow of a freshman year. Saw the same thing in older daughter's college experience.
I'm very worried about "today's generation." I think many will be lost the second they step out of the house without Mommy and Daddy hovering over them all day.