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to Newsletter IndexNovember 1996 Newsletter Article
Title: Ask the Advisor
Author: Ray Lauenstein
Q: :I often have trouble "Getting Up" for practice after a long day of classes and school work. What can I do to motivate and energize.
A: We all have natural high and lows in our energy levels throughout the day, this is natural. Your diet is important, eat enough carbohydrates at lunch and drink plenty of fluids such as water, juice and sports drinks. Avoid sugary sodas and snacks, they may give you a temporary burst of energy, but you will crash hard and fast and feel lethargic.
Pay attention to what you say to yourself, you can either psyche your self up or out. Saying "Lets Go" or "Time to let it rip" or "I’m going to have a great practice" or "I feel great today" will go a long way in getting you up for practice. A negative attitude will elicit a negative response, if you say "I’m not up for this today" you will practice like your not up for it.
Finally why are you out there to begin with? Do you love the sport, are you shooting for a college scholarship, a state championship, a personal best, because you enjoy your teammates? It helps to get back to the basics of why you play when the chips are down. You will be reenergized!
The worst thing for any athlete to do is resort to drugs, either over the counter or illegal. Not only are you risking your health but you risk eligibility, and create a crutch to shoulder your own responsibility over your life. Psyche yourself up!
Q: I’ve thought about doing a year of post-grad at a prep school before college. What are the advantages?
A: Prep schools are an excellent way to improve athletically and academically in the eyes of colleges. However, there are no guarantees and you must work hard. A "young" senior who needs more maturing is a good bet for prep school. Need to work on you board scores or feel you were overlooked by colleges? A year of post grad is the time to showcase your talents and boost your boards. Preps schools are not a magic bullet, if you are not a legitimate athletic prospect you will not simply turn into one by doing an extra year.
That one extra year may be what you need to add size, skill, experience and coaching e expertise to make you a better athlete. Investigate the school carefully and make sure you are getting what you want out of a post grad year.