Photo by: CSUN Athletics
Matador Connection Helps Student-Athletes Transition to CSUN
12/11/2015 12:34:00 PM | General
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. --- College can be overwhelming. Having to juggle schoolwork, classes, papers, studying and finals can be tough. Being a student-athlete means adding practice, weights, conditioning and meetings on top of an already busy schedule. All of this may seem intimidating, but the Matador Connection program offers help and support to student-athletes with their transition to a four-year university.
All incoming freshmen and junior college transfers are included in the Matador Connection program. Six workshops, led by campus staff, will help the student-athletes prepare for the college experience by teaching them tips for success. The workshops, which hit on areas such as tutoring, test taking, goal setting, term papers and stress management are held twice every two weeks in order to fit student-athlete schedules.
"I feel it has helped me get rid of some anxiety coming into the last few weeks of school with finals," said Samuel Myers, a junior transfer on the baseball team.
Finals can be the most stressful time of the semester for students. The workshops help student-athletes not only manage their stress, but also create better time management skills to prepare for the upcoming assignments, presentations and tests.
"It prepared me for when I'm traveling and might miss a class," said men's track & field's Tyree Harriott. "I learned what to email the professor."
Being a student-athlete not only entails managing sports and academics, it also means having good communication with professors. During a season, teams travel all over the country, which may conflict with classes. The Matador Connection teaches student-athletes techniques to improve their communication skills with professors. Being proactive by talking to a professor about possible missed classes on the first day of class is always recommended, and its just one of the techniques taught in the workshops.
The Matador Connection helps balance school and sports, while teaching valuable lessons that can be used after college. The workshops not only prepare student-athletes to be successful in the classroom, but also for their future jobs and careers.
All incoming freshmen and junior college transfers are included in the Matador Connection program. Six workshops, led by campus staff, will help the student-athletes prepare for the college experience by teaching them tips for success. The workshops, which hit on areas such as tutoring, test taking, goal setting, term papers and stress management are held twice every two weeks in order to fit student-athlete schedules.
"I feel it has helped me get rid of some anxiety coming into the last few weeks of school with finals," said Samuel Myers, a junior transfer on the baseball team.
Finals can be the most stressful time of the semester for students. The workshops help student-athletes not only manage their stress, but also create better time management skills to prepare for the upcoming assignments, presentations and tests.
"It prepared me for when I'm traveling and might miss a class," said men's track & field's Tyree Harriott. "I learned what to email the professor."
Being a student-athlete not only entails managing sports and academics, it also means having good communication with professors. During a season, teams travel all over the country, which may conflict with classes. The Matador Connection teaches student-athletes techniques to improve their communication skills with professors. Being proactive by talking to a professor about possible missed classes on the first day of class is always recommended, and its just one of the techniques taught in the workshops.
The Matador Connection helps balance school and sports, while teaching valuable lessons that can be used after college. The workshops not only prepare student-athletes to be successful in the classroom, but also for their future jobs and careers.
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