I have always been fascinated by the idea of how the mind works, especially in the context of sports. So, I started to look into it more seriously. I mean, who wouldn’t want to know what makes athletes tick, right? After some digging, I thought, “Why not get a doctorate in sports psychology?” But I couldn’t just pack up and move to a university, so I explored online options.
First, I checked out a bunch of websites to see what programs were out there. It was a bit overwhelming, to be honest. There are so many schools offering online degrees. I narrowed it down by looking at schools that were mentioned in articles about sports psychology. I made a list, a simple one, nothing fancy, just to keep track.
- University A
- University B
- University C
- University D
Then, I started digging into the details of each program. I compared the courses they offered, the cost, and how long it would take to finish. I also looked into whether they required any on-campus visits because that could be a deal-breaker for me. It’s a big commitment, you know, time and money-wise.
After that, I reached out to a few of the schools. I just emailed them, asking for more information and if they had any current students I could talk to. Surprisingly, a couple of them got back to me pretty quickly, which was nice. I got to chat with some students who were already in the programs. They gave me the real scoop, the good and the bad. It’s always good to hear from someone who’s actually doing it.
One thing I realized was that even though it’s an online program, there’s still a lot of interaction with professors and other students. They have online discussions, group projects, and sometimes even virtual meetings. So, it’s not like you’re just reading stuff on your own. You get to be part of a community, which I thought was important.
In the end, I decided to apply to one of the programs. It seemed like the best fit for me, considering the courses, the flexibility, and the support they offered. I filled out the application, wrote a personal statement about why I wanted to study sports psychology, and sent in my transcripts.
It was a bit of a waiting game after that. I was nervous, I won’t lie. But eventually, I got an acceptance email! I was so excited; I couldn’t believe it. I enrolled in the program, registered for my first courses, and now I’m officially a doctoral student in sports psychology.
What I learned
It’s definitely a journey, but it’s totally doable. You just have to be organized, do your research, and be ready to put in the work. And the best part is, you can do it all from your own home. No need to relocate or quit your job. You just got to find what is suitable for you. If you’re passionate about sports and psychology, I’d say go for it! And I will keep updating my journey here.
