The College Search Leads to a Shift in Focus--maybe

As the kids mature, some more rapidly than others, their priorities can change---they do things for themselves and their future not for Mom and Pop


Also their love for the game may not be as strong as Mom and Dad thought--perhaps they were playing for their parents

"their priorities can change---they do things for themselves"

I think it's this, but mostly the fact that it's a new challenge to pursue. A new venue in which to focus competitive energy...

My boy is not the kind of kid to ever play for M&P only--way too stubborn and independent for that! We'll see how this all plays out. He's the driver. I believe he's hoping he can have his cake and eat it too.

My son wanted to continue with baseball in college and also places a high priority on academics. As a potential physics major, he decided to look at small strong D3 schools where the baseball schedule would not be as consuming as higher levels and there is more leeway to work around academic/athletic conflicts. He also, at each college vist, met with heads of physics departments, attended physics classes, etc. He chose a small D3 that has a strong sciences and a good baseball program and thinks he will be able to give strong efforts to both. He will have better research opportunities there than undergrads would typically have at large school with a graduate program. Maybe your son could look along the same lines if he hasn't already.

quote:

Originally posted by quillgirl:
My junior son has been actively visiting campuses this year and it's been interesting to watch his vision of college life (and beyond) begin to crystalize. He loves baseball, and it has always been his goal to play in college. He's done everything possible to make that a path that's available to him. But I sense a shift...

He has become just as excited to see a fully-equipped lab with exciting research happening as his is going to see the baseball fields. He is actively contacting professors in his chosen field in the exact same way he does coaches--maybe with even greater excitement. I think he is trying to figure out how to make both things work for him, but I'm beginning to get the sense that if push comes to shove, he'll choose a good research situation over his beloved baseball...

Interesting and exciting and gratifying, but I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't be a little bit sad not to see him in a uniform after senior year. <sniffle.> I'm feeling verklempt just thinking about it.

quillgirl,
This is definetly what should be happening for most, IMO.
Athletics, are important as they can help you get into school. Most important to remember is that most athletes walk away with degrees, not opportunities to play at the next level. Even when going into it with baseball being a very large part of what is on their mind, eventually reality takes over and a shift happens, they are at school to get a degree, everything else becomes secondary.
I would be lying if I said that the baseball program was not important to son, but along with his decision came other considerations. Everyone takes a differnt path, but choosing a school soley for the baseball program is not always a wise decision. JMO.

Good luck to your son.

quote:

tpm quote:
quillgirl,
This is definetly what should be happening for most, IMO. Athletics, are important as they can help you get into school. Most important to remember is that most athletes walk away with degrees, not opportunities to play at the next level.

One thing to keep in the back of the minds of all students and parents, regardless of the baseball opportunities, is that close to 75% of all students entering college change their majors along the way.

Academic majors are like a pair of pants, while they seem to fit when you first try them on, over time you may grow out of them, or they go out of style.

I agree with the fact that most college students change their majors along the way.
For a college player this can be difficult, because of APR and graduation within a particular time frame.
Mine didn't declare a major until end of his sophmore year, but he made sure, with help of his advisor hat when the time came he wouldn't lose too many credits with a shift. Partly because he really wasn't sure of what he wanted to major in, as baseball seemed likely that it would be his profession after college, but that doesn't happen often. He has majored in an area where he can go either way in the future, business, management, coaching. That will be determined in his last 30 credit hours, yet to be done.
For most where sports will help pay some of the way, it's best to stay on task and take advantage of that so one can graduate within 4 or less than 5 years. If a player knows exactly what he wants (and very few really do know) it makes the decision easier.

quote:

Originally posted by quillgirl:
I think he is trying to figure out how to make both things work for him, but I'm beginning to get the sense that if push comes to shove, he'll choose a good research situation over his beloved baseball...

Interesting and exciting and gratifying, but I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't be a little bit sad not to see him in a uniform after senior year. <sniffle.> I'm feeling verklempt just thinking about it.

That's part of growing up and figuring it out for themselves where they stand with school and sports. While he had the ability to play at the collegiate level, I think he realized he wasn't gonna make a living playing baseball.

My son had good idea by his junior year he was going to college for academics only. While he enjoyed playing baseball, he decided against playing at the collegiate level when he got accepted in the. It has worked out for him so far and when he got his grades in his firat semester, they were higher than anyhing he ever got in high school, so he's putting in the time and effort. And to stay in some teaching program he's got accepted in, he must maintain a 3.0 average to stay in the program, not a 2.0 so he's got good reason to focus on his work in school. He said had he tried to play baseball in college, it woudn't have worked out.

Sure I miss him playing since that's what he had done the last 12 years, then all of a sudden, it's over but when you look at the big picture and move further away from that last high school game played, it's not that big a deal.

quote:

Originally posted by quillgirl:

I'm feeling verklempt just thinking about it.

When did they start talking German here in Georgia? LOL

Nice to see some young men making mature decisions.

German village just outside Atlanta.

The old village of Helen-- up in the mountains of Georgia...
(Google it.)

We're checking on some of those D3 programs. A few do look promising.

"Verklempt" is Yiddish. Would love to hear Yiddish spoken with a southern accent...

LHPMom

Helen!! Believe it or not as I sit here in Seoul, Korea, about 30 years ago my best buddy and I drove up to Helen with his parents (we were college students working at Lake Lanier Islands) and had an absolute blast. I mainly remember tubing on the little river that runs through there. Cool place, cooler memories!

Now, back to the subject........quillgirl, your son is doing what I think ALL headed to college, regardless of other pursuits, should be doing. And you never know - once he's found the 'just right' school for his academic pursuits, he just may get in touch with the coach and see what's cookin' there.......best of luck to him all around.

quote:

Originally posted by LHPMom2012:
"Verklempt" is Yiddish. Would love to hear Yiddish spoken with a southern accent...

LHPMom

"VAklempt"

I think its awesome that he knows what he wants. best of luck to him. Sounds like a mature kid.