Sports in high school were a big thing (not going to lie), but I don't think any of us were quite prepared for what college sports are like and the time they take up. It doesn't matter if you are Division 3, 2 or 1; it is a huge commitment to your team and your school. It is a lot of work and sometimes not every one quite understands the struggle. But since I have begun my college sports career, I have learned a lot of really important lessons that will help me for a long time after college.
1. You have been forced to become a morning person.
Early morning alarms become the norm. But while everyone else is setting theirs for their 8 a.m. classes, you are setting yours for practice, lift or departure for your next game, match or tournament. Then, by the time your 8 a.m. class rolls around, you've already been awake much longer than anyone else.
2. You've learned how to work through exhaustion.
But despite now being able to wake up earlier, you're still probably constantly exhausted. There is no feeling as dreadful as getting out of practice or lift ready to collapse onto your bed but then remembering that you have to finish that paper and study for your two exams you have tomorrow.
3. You've learned how to deal with FOMO.
Watching your NARP (Non-Athletic Regular Person) friends getting ready to go out while you are laying in bed on 24-hour rule is depressing, but you have slowly learned to accept it. You are already dead, so would adding alcohol to that really help? Nope. You have learned to lie in your bed and dream of the day where you can finally put on those fancy pants and get your dance on. (There's off season, but does that really even exist?)
4. Your time management skills are unreal.
You are now a professional multitasker. You can write a paper and study for a test while sitting in the back of a bumpy bus ride in the dark and eating dinner while having a full conversation on the phone. You are like the Superman of homework, and no one can stop you.
5. Food is your best friend.
Your non-sports friends always look at you weirdly when you order two meals for dinner, but if they knew the kind of day you had, they would understand.
6. You have learned how to walk around campus with your entire body in pain.
Muscles you didn't even know existed hurt, and you are just limping around campus. Sitting, standing back up and everyday bodily movements have become a painful ordeal.
7. You have learned how to handle being an emotional wreck on a daily basis.
People constantly ask you what's wrong but you actually don't know if it is because of your exhaustion, a terrible practice, hunger or a combination of the three. Just don't talk to me. I don't want to take your head off.
8. Finding joy in the little things.
When the whole team finds out that workouts are canceled.
9. Getting new gear is your version of Christmas time.
It's all so beautiful!
10. You've learned how lucky you are to play the sport you love.
There are so many people who would kill to be in your position, but their sports careers ended already. You get an extra four years to do what you love on a team that you love at a school that you love. And that's pretty awesome.
