Last words of (softball) advice?

I know a lot of young ladies here are heading to college very soon. We'll be taking DD in 9 days. For those of you that have gone through this, do you have any last words of advice for our girls heading to the next level?

Don't suck....

You're at the final chapter of a short great novel, enjoy every sentence, every paragraph. The sequel book includes things of much greater importance, education and preparation, for the long journey we call life.

GOINGDEEP said:

You're at the final chapter of a short great novel, enjoy every sentence, every paragraph. The sequel book includes things of much greater importance, education and preparation, for the long journey we call life.

Click to expand...

Not as poetic as RDBASS's post but pretty darn good!
But seriously, nicely put.

Many coaches will play some head games attempting to break you down to see what you are made of, do not take it personal.

Learn to sleep anywhere at anytime.

This is not TB and certainly not HS ball, it is a very different game.

Embrace every opportunity afforded you.

Enjoy the ride, it will be over in the blink of an eye.

True success will be determined by what you learn from the game and apply once you leave, not what you do while you are there.

Your parents are very proud of you for all the hard work.

Work hard -communicate-earn your spot-ENJOY AND HAVE FUN!!!!!!!

As a parent- get ready for lots of weekend games and flight/hotels where needed.
I am a JETBLUE and Hyatt VIP-Watched as many games as possible last year.......

It is so ironic that you start this thread. BB and I were talking about this very subject Sunday night. Some thoughts:

• Beware of the social events that you will be asked to attend. Some teammates aren't so nice as you think and will do their best to get you plastered so that you start with a bad reputation.
• Learn your way around school fast. Walk your classes a couple of times and figure out where is the best way to exit the parking lot if you can drive. You will have to get to team meetings, practice, lifting, ... and you have to be efficient doing so.
• Keep snacks in your backpack and car. There will be times when you are so rushed you can't get a decent meal so you will have to have something before practice.
• Bring your game. First year players are sometimes in a fog as everything is new to them including coaches, drills, players, ... The field is the same and the game is the same. Bring your game or get prepared to sit on the bench.
• When you mess up, know that many coaches will punish the team. That won't go well. So, listen and do what you are expected to do. One example from BB's Coach. Players were expected to be in class 15 minutes early and sit in the front row. Coach got there and one freshman came strolling in 5 minutes after class started. Coach helped her teammates motivate her to be in class when she was supposed to be in class.
• Find a person is each class that you can count on for notes. Players have to make friends that are not on the team. Sometimes it helps for softball palyers to make friends with athletes in fall sports. Your dd will miss a lot of classes in the Spring and so, often my dd paired up with some girl's soccer players.
• Prepare to be home sick. Skype helps along with a few other tech programs. I guess Instagram may be a new one.
• Put "emergency money" in your dd's car. We kept $50 hidden in her car.
• There is a "bar" that you can buy for your dd's steering wheel. We bought one for BB. She used it. We also bought a device for her door so that she could brace her door shut. She didn't use that one but had it.

These are a few things. I'll think of more when I get a chance.

I think I'm going to print out this entire thread...

I have sent 2 away to college and the best advice is to get ahead of any academic problem ASAP. College waits for no one, if you are a little behind, you will become a lot behind in a minute. No matter how good of a student you are in HS, college will surprise you in its intensity and rigor. The school will provide your DD with the resources to get her grades where she wants them, but the resources are only good if your DD uses them. My DD was #1 in her HS class and was used to being the one other students came to for help, she didn't know how to do it the other way. Not to mention her pride kept her from asking for help. It took a bit of work, but she got her grades where she wanted them, but only because she asked.

We read this book and bought the other one for our kids. Lots of good info in there for the parent.

For you
https://www.amazon.com/Happiest-Kid-Campus-Parents-Experience/dp/1402239424

For the student
https://www.amazon.com/Naked-Roomma...1470757715&sr=1-1&keywords=the+naked+roommate

DD has been one year in mid D1 then one year Juco. In both places there was more than expected "negative influences" from other players not dedicating to their studies, to staying sober, and even just plain ole dedication to the game. Surprising thing is it sounds like the size of the problem was about the same between the two. I am soooo praying that DD gets on the big D1 team this coming year so that she can hopefully experience maybe a higher quality dedication experience across the board. (regardless of the skill level)