There are so many reasons why summer is one of my favorite seasons. Having a break between the end of the spring semester and the start of the fall semester is an important time that you should take full advantage of.
The summer is the perfect time to start preparing for DECA competition so that you are ready for when it comes time to compete.
Whether this upcoming school year is the first time you are competing in Collegiate DECA or not, there is no better time than now to start taking the first steps. If you competed in high school DECA, you should familiarize yourself with the differences in the ways competitions work in the Collegiate Division.
Individual Case Studies
Competitors receive 30 minutes of prep time and 15 minutes of interview time in front of the judge, whereas in high school, competitors receive 10 minutes of prep time and 10 minutes of interview time. Just like in high school, all individual case study competitors require taking a 100-question exam before the role-play, which will factor into your overall score.
Team Case Studies
Competitors receive 60 minutes of prep time and 15 minutes of interview time in front of the judge, whereas in high school, team competitors receive 30 minutes of prep time, but still 15 minutes of interview time. No exam is required.
Prepared Business Presentation Events
Competitors, individually or in teams of 2-3, depending on the category, can start brainstorming ideas for their project much further in advance. Prepared events allow competitors to enter their interview already familiar with how they would like to present. No exam is required.
Picking Your Category
On deca.org/collegecompete you can explore the various categories that may interest you, challenge you and inspire you to step outside your comfort zone.
For each category, there are sample events to help you better understand. Going through the sample events can better prepare you for success. If your category has an exam, practice the sample exam a few times so you know which areas you may need to spend extra time learning!
Practice Mock Roleplays
Schedule time with a friend, competition partner, or anyone willing to help you succeed by going through a mock competition. Have that person play the role of the judge, while you get practice competing. This can help you step up your game, build communication skills, and be ready to become the Next Big Thing!
