No matter where you go to school, life as a student athlete is difficult and amazing at the same time. From games hours away on weeknights to 6 AM practices, it truly is a lifestyle.

1. Even though it happens at 90% of practices, your brain always reacts the same way to 'get on the line'. You always get it done and survive, but you also always freak out before it all goes down.

2. You always give in and go to class wearing your team's gear. It's hard to wear real clothes when you are obsessed with your team's apparel and are too sore, and tired, to wear normal clothes.

3. You spend late nights in the library with your team. With practice and games, you spend all your free time doing homework during the week. But hey, it is really good bonding time!

4. Game day is the best day! You live for seeing each other on campus, the Snapchats, and motivational Group Me messages on game day.

5. There really is no off-season. You are constantly training, playing in out-of-season leagues, and having off-season practices when you are not 'in season'.

6. You get A LOT of food at dinner. And lunch. And breakfast. All the time basically. When you eat with your friends that are not student athletes (NARPS), they are shocked at how many plates of food you get the first few times. They get used to it, though.

7. Morning practice is the worst thing ever and the best thing ever. It is never fun to have to wake up at 5:30 AM for morning practice, but once morning practice is over, you have your whole day free and practice is done! The hardest part is waking up, really, and since once you get there and start playing, it is not too bad.

8. If your roommate is a NARP, you find yourself always tiptoeing around the room. Whether you are getting back to the room, from practice following by eating or a game, at 11PM, or you are waking up for morning practice and trying to get dressed, you would feel so bad if you woke up your roommate. You try, but sometimes you accidentally knock your field hockey stick over at 5:35 AM.

9. Summer training is hard work. The day you get the email with your workout packet, you look at it and are baffled by how much running you will be doing. Once it is summer, the workouts are actually really rewarding and make you feel awesome. The hard work will eventually pay off. You and your teammates encourage each other throughout the summer to keep working hard and hold each other accountable.

10. Your team is your second family. After spending countless hours together, doing the sport that you love, you all become really close. You would do anything for your teammates, and you know they would do anything for you.

Being a student athlete is such a blessing and I am so thankful I am able to do what I love at the college level. Even though it is a lot of work and a huge time commitment, I would not do college any other way.