Choosing a college is a daunting decision for all high-schoolers and their parents. Countless factors play a role in the selection, including location, degree programs and extra-curricular activities. If archery is your passion, consider a college that offers an archery program.

You don’t have to give up your passion while pursing an education. Life is all about balancing work and play. If archery brings you joy, taking a break from studying to shoot some arrows can  restore balance. Archery is a valuable stress reliever, and who needs stress relief more than college students? College can be overwhelming, so it’s important to build constructive outlets into your experience to enhance the journey.

One of the South’s biggest colleges – Texas A&M University ­– has earned countless archery trophies, and its teams enjoy consistent success. But if the East Coast holds more appeal to you, check out James Madison University. Both colleges have exceptional practice facilities that kickstarted archery careers for world champions and Olympic medalists.

But don’t stop there. Over 40 colleges nationwide offer archery programs, which is too many to list here. To see a full list of those colleges, visit the USA Archery website.

Do you want to be part of a collegiate archery team, but don’t know how you’ll pay for it? The NFAA offers scholarships for collegiate archers to ease debt fears and encourage students to pursue the sport. These scholarships are possible options for incoming freshmen and students further along.

In addition to tuition debt, attending college out of state can be intimidating. After all, you’re leaving behind everything you know and creating a life with people you’ve never met. If that terrifies you, remember: Everyone you meet will be doing the same thing. Even students attending in-state schools are navigating adulthood’s rocky waters for the first time. Joining an archery team ensures you’ll have a safe haven where you can spend time with people sharing a common interest.

Contact the coach beforehand to arrange a tour of the school’s archery facilities Ask every question you think of. If you’re going to spend four years there, you must make sure you’ll enjoy it. Archery practice can provide that enjoyment, and further cultivate your interests.

If you’re a serious competitor, collegiate archery gives you valuable tournament experience and boosts your archery resume, which can attract potential sponsors. If you want to pursue a more recreational route, some colleges also offer archery clubs. Clubs are great ways to keep archery as a hobby without the pressures of high-end competition.

Students often feel as if college life means sacrificing hobbies and passions, but that’s not so. By choosing a college with an archery team, you can earn your degree without giving up your bow. And if you receive a scholarship, you might even get paid to shoot your way through school.