Starting Early       School & Junior       Course Selection       Life After Hockey       Awareness       Introduction       Rules & Eligibility       Eligibility Explained       What to Ask Coaches       SAT/ACT       SAT Question o/t Day       Div I Teams       DIV III Teams       Introduction       CIAU Teams       Introduction       Rules & Eligibility       CCAA Teams
	What do you want to be when you grow up? A professional athlete. Chances are, for many of you that is your answer. The reality is that it may not happen, but playing hockey can afford you an abundance of opportunities along the way, including a university education. As people, we often want to take the path of least resistance, and as hockey players, we often do this with our academics. We do what we need to do to graduate, so we can focus on hockey.       Reverse. Hockey without a doubt has had a significant effect on all our lives, and for most of you, you are still trying to achieve your goals as a player. It is important to realize, however, that you cannot sacrifice your education along the way. Academically, this means the path of most resistance, or the road less traveled, might be the best choice. As a student, you need to leave yourself options, and the key to this is course selection.       Quite often as student athletes, we want to take the easiest courses or the courses that suit our schedule. This is true not only in high school, but also later in university. From experience, it is a mistake, but your high school mistakes will be the ones that will hurt you. Course selection during high school is very important. It definitely won't seem that way at the time, but it is crucial if you decide to go on to university. The truth about high school course selection is to leave yourself with options. High school is not the time to focus on a certain area. You need to have a broad level of academic expertise before pursuing university. The truth is you may think you know where your interests lie, however, university and your own maturity may very well lead you elsewhere. You may not know what you want to be or pursue. That's ok. In fact, it's normal. What we're saying is leave yourself with options. It may take more work now, but in the long run, it will be the wisest choice you could have made. The following are recommendations to give you the most options: Math: Math is either your friend or your enemy, but the truth is, you need it. Almost every program at university requires it. Your options at university are cut in half if you don't make math a priority in high school. You'll need the skills you learn to get in to university, and you'll use them once you're there. Without a doubt, you'll need to take statistics to graduate. Sciences: Most of you have probably convinced yourselves that Sciences aren't in your future. Think again. Whether you see now or not, you'll undoubtedly encounter the need to have graduated high school with a science course or two under your belt. If you want a sports related degree, you'll need sciences. If you want a computer related degree, you'll need sciences. Chemistry and Physics are the two most important. You can't pursue any university level courses related to these two without having the high school credits. If you can't see taking these two, at least consider biology. However, biology isn't needed to get into university level courses. Chemistry and physics are. Having high school chemistry will generally get you into university level bio courses. If you can manage to take all three sciences then you are all the better off, but having chemistry and physics will leave you with the most options in the long run. English: Most provinces/states require English to graduate, and they should. It is probably the most important subject, and you should consider taking more courses once in university. Strong speaking and writing skills are imperative when you choose to pursue a career outside of hockey. Build a solid foundation in English, and you will reap the benefits later. Computers: You need computer skills. Judging by the fact that you are reading this article, you probably have some experience with computers and the internet. Learn as much as you can. Every employer will require computer skills. Having solid technical skills will not only open the door to technical careers, but it will also open the door to managing technical people, selling technical products, and bridging the gap between the wired and the unwired. And, at university, you'll be forced to use computers to process papers, make presentations, design web pages, and to get course materials over the web. If you don't become technically literate now, you'll be forced to later. For our generation, computers are here to stay, and there is no hiding from it. History: "If you don't know where you're from, how will you know where you are going?" Be sure to take history courses, because they'll give you a better understanding of what is going on around you, and why they are. It will undoubtedly expose you to research as well. Effective research skills will be paramount at the university level and later in the work force. Courses of Interest: If you get the opportunity to take courses like accounting or law at the high school level, do so. They will give you the experience in areas beyond the core course curriculum, and they may give you direction when choosing a course of study at the university level. Having all the bases covered will benefit you in the long run. Once in university, you'll be given the chance to explore your interests. Some of us are lucky to know exactly what we want to be or study. But, many of us will be unsure and may even change our major a year or two into university or college. University is a great experience, and you'll come into your own while you're there. You'll gain exposure to many new things, and these experiences will shape you for the rest of your life. But, leave yourself options. Buckling down in high school will afford you more opportunities later. You'll be surprised at what interests you as you grow and mature. Make sure you have the background to allow your interests to take shape. "Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice."
a project © 1999 DavidSport Inc. All Rights Reserved.