By Shalomi Sahabandhu | UW-Whitewater DECA, WI
Preparing for Collegiate DECA competition takes more than just showing up to meetings.
At UW-Whitewater Collegiate DECA, one way we support our members is through our “DECA Deep Dive,” or “Triple D,” sessions. These sessions take place during competition-focused meetings and extend beyond general business, giving members additional time to focus on preparation.
During competition meetings and DDD session days, we review the basics of individual and team case studies, go over prepared project expectations and discuss testing strategies. Members have time to ask questions, talk through competition scenarios and learn what judges are looking for. These conversations help both new and returning members feel more confident as they head into the conference.
The DDD portion of the meeting gives members extra time to stay after regular agenda items and work more in-depth. They can continue working on or updating their “skeletons,” which are structured slide formats used to organize ideas during case studies quickly. Having these outlines prepared ahead of time helps members work more efficiently under time pressure at competition.
Our Vice President of Competition is always present during these sessions to guide members and answer questions. Whether someone needs help structuring a role-play response, understanding the scoring criteria or reviewing test material, leadership is available to support. This makes the preparation process feel more approachable and less overwhelming.
Returning members also share insight from their past experiences at the conference. They talk about what surprised them, how they managed nerves and what strategies helped them succeed. Hearing directly from peers makes competition feel more realistic and achievable for newer members.
The structure of competition meetings, combined with DDD time, allows members to prepare at their own pace. Some stay for a short time to clarify a specific question, while others can wait longer to practice their prepared projects. The atmosphere stays collaborative and focused, giving members the confidence to speak up and ask for help.
By integrating preparation directly into our competition meetings and offering extended Deep Dive time, we aim to help our members feel consistently supported. These sessions show that success at the conference comes from preparation, feedback and teamwork.
