For many student-athletes, course selection feels like a routine box to check each spring. But in today’s landscape, where academic readiness, personal development, and NIL opportunities all play a role, the courses you choose can shape not only your high school experience but also your future brand, your financial decisions, and your long-term success.

At Polaris Athlete, we empower student-athletes to think ahead and make choices that support their athletic, academic, and entrepreneurial growth. Course selection is one of the earliest and most meaningful ways to begin preparing for what comes next.

Here is our way-too-early guide to the courses student-athletes should consider and why they matter for NIL readiness and life.

1. Psychology

Psychology develops self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and resilience. These skills help athletes manage pressure, understand how people think, and communicate more effectively with coaches, teammates, fans, and future brand partners. Beyond athletics and NIL, psychology supports personal growth. Students learn empathy, self-awareness, and strategies for managing stress and high-pressure situations. These are life skills that support academic success, leadership development, and overall emotional well-being.

2. Economics

Economics introduces how markets function and how value is created. This foundation supports smart decision-making around sponsorships, partnerships, and understanding the financial side of NIL opportunities. There has never been a more exciting moment in the economics of college athletics and gaining a strong foundation in Economics allows student-athletes to understand how decisions influence the opportunities available to them in the NIL landscape..

3. Personal Finance

Financial literacy becomes essential once NIL earnings are in play. It teaches budgeting, saving, taxes, and responsible money management. These skills protect long-term stability and empower student-athletes to handle real financial opportunities with confidence. Personal finance teachers are seeing a tremendous increase in buy-in amongst their student-athletes in their classes with the onset of NIL. This is a must-take course for every student-athlete that wishes to pursue NIL opportunities.

4. Leadership

Student-athletes are often viewed as leaders in their communities. Leadership courses build confidence, strengthen decision-making, and develop the ability to represent oneself and one’s brand. Leadership can also grow through student government, clubs, and team roles. Leadership isn’t developed in a silo. It requires active participation and commitment to character development. If your school offers a student leadership program, lean into it and get involved. It’ll open doors for you!

5. Entrepreneurship

NIL requires entrepreneurial thinking. Entrepreneurship courses introduce branding, marketing, business planning, and revenue models. If a school does not offer this course, online or pre-college options are strong alternatives. Throughout my career, I’ve always encouraged my students to lean into their interests and strengths with an entrepreneurial mindset and as a result of that, I’ve seen countless opportunities achieved as a result of that passion. We all have something, so it’s important to approach it with entrepreneurial thinking as it can lead to so much more.

6. Communications

Communication skills are crucial for interviews, outreach emails, conversations with sponsors, and social media messaging. These courses help student-athletes learn to share their stories clearly and professionally. Effective communication skills are a key differentiating factor in today’s landscape of college athletics. With that in mind, it’s important for student-athletes to consider this regardless of their long-term goals and career aspirations.

7. Public Speaking or Speech

From press conferences to video content, student-athletes benefit from strong presentation skills. Public speaking courses help reduce anxiety, improve delivery, and prepare athletes for both in-person and online engagements. What once was a dreaded requirement for graduation is now a launchpad for success. Reframe the butterflies in your stomach and lean into the discomfort. Good things will happen!

8. Digital Media or Marketing

NIL brands grow online, which makes digital media and marketing skills valuable. These courses teach athletes to create effective content, understand social media algorithms, and promote themselves authentically. It’s no secret that the creator economy revolves around digital media. With that being said, it’s essential for anyone with entrepreneurial aspirations to have a basic understanding. The earlier the better!

9. Theater

Theater builds presence, confidence on camera, storytelling ability, and improvisation skills. These strengths support brand partnerships, interviews, and content creation, and theater often fits well with athletic schedules. Throughout my career as a school counselor and director of college counseling, I always found that our student-athletes who immersed themselves in the opportunities that theater provided grew more confident, expressive, and comfortable in front of others. It always seemed to make a noticeable difference in their performance and leadership.

10. Ethics

Student-athletes will encounter choices that affect their reputation, partnerships, and long-term brand. Ethics courses provide a strong foundation for making thoughtful decisions with integrity. Beyond navigating NIL opportunities, it’s important for student-athletes to develop judgement and decision-making skills that will protect their future and make sound choices while representing themselves and their communities in a positive way.

Looking Ahead

High school offers meaningful opportunities to build the mindset and skill set needed for entrepreneurship, NIL readiness, and life beyond sports. With the right courses, student-athletes can begin shaping their identity, strengthening their brand, and preparing for future opportunities starting now.

Every student-athlete brings a different combination of goals, strengths, opportunities, and challenges. Our approach is designed to meet them exactly where they are.

NIL Success Driven by Early Academic Planning