The University Interscholastic League academic competition season will start on Jan. 25 with an invitational meet at Johnson High School. Competing in academic UIL competitions can prepare students for college and also potentially win them scholarships.
Academic UIL coordinator Claudia Barthuly believes there are many benefits of competing.
“Obviously, (it increases) your knowledge,” she said. “Scholarships are available for state champions, and it looks great on your transcript.”
To be eligible in a UIL competition, a student has to have regular attendance, the number of required credits and not yet be a high school graduate.
More than half a million students compete in UIL academics each year in events ranging from math skills to debate to theatre.
Senior Bethany Mann, who holds the 5A journalism state champion title, expresses her opinions on how she feels about competing.
“I really enjoy competing,” she said. “Piecing a story together in my own creative way is honestly really fun.”
Strategies to prepare for UIL can depend on the person competing or the event they are competing in.
“Over time, I have found what works to succeed really just by trial and error,” Mann said, “and I remind myself of different mistakes I have made at previous competitions before an event, so I don’t make them again.”
Mann offers some advice to students wanting to compete in UIL academics for the first time.
“It’s easy to get overwhelmed seeing all the people you are competing against,” she said, “but If you just focus on what you are doing and don’t pay attention to others, you will feel a lot less nervous.”