Swimming in College: How Age Group Swimmers Can Prepare Now

For many young swimmers, competing in college is a dream goal. Whether it’s at a Division I powerhouse, a small Division III school, or on a club team, college swimming offers an incredible opportunity to continue racing, growing, and being part of a team.

💡 What is college swimming like?

✅ Structured training
College swimmers typically practice multiple times per day, combining water workouts with dryland and strength training.

✅ Team environment
College teams become like family, building strong bonds through travel, competition, and daily training.

✅ Academic balance
Swimmers must balance demanding practices with classes, homework, and college life responsibilities.

✅ High competition level
College swimming is intense, with meets nearly every weekend and conference championships at the season’s peak.

🔑 What can age group swimmers do to prepare now?

1. Build strong technique
   Good habits built now last into college. Focus on streamlines, turns, underwaters, and efficiency in every stroke.

2. Develop time management skills
   Balancing school, swim practice, and life is critical in college. Start building these skills now with organized routines.

3. Train for versatility
   College coaches value swimmers who can cover multiple events or strokes. Try different events to broaden your skill set.

4. Set academic goals
   Grades matter. College coaches look for student-athletes who can succeed academically while managing sports.

5. Learn independence
   In college, swimmers are responsible for their own nutrition, recovery, and time. Practice packing your own swim bag, managing your sleep, and fueling your body well now.

6. Talk to your coaches
   Let your coach know you’re interested in college swimming. They can guide you on times to target and skills to refine.

🏊‍♂️ When should swimmers start thinking about college swimming?

✅ Middle School – Early High School:
Focus on building technique, good habits, and love for the sport.

✅ Freshman – Sophomore Year:
Start thinking about what kind of college you might enjoy (big vs. small, academic programs, location). Continue working on time drops and event versatility.

✅ Junior – Senior Year:
Begin reaching out to college coaches, researching programs, and narrowing down your choices. Attend college swim camps if possible to experience programs firsthand.

💛 Final thoughts

Swimming in college isn’t just about fast times – it’s about dedication, teamwork, and loving the sport enough to continue it while managing academics and life as a young adult. By building strong habits, technique, and responsibility now, age group swimmers set themselves up for success in the future, whether they choose to swim in college or simply carry swimming as a lifelong skill and passion.