As a female varsity athlete at a division one school, you're bound to have a wide breadth of experiences - good, bad, ugly, and also beautiful. As I look back on my college softball career, a few differences stand out between the beginning stages and the inevitable, bittersweet end.
1. Getting in that extra cardio
Freshman year:
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F09%2F10%2F636090732267190594990447502_Rocky-Steps-69289.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=271&h=23f0940339a896b91c97384abdf231835b30b47a68c05689f29e6bff1f9c1f87&size=980x&c=1707456531 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F09%252F10%252F636090732267190594990447502_Rocky-Steps-69289.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D271%26h%3D23f0940339a896b91c97384abdf231835b30b47a68c05689f29e6bff1f9c1f87%26size%3D980x%26c%3D1707456531%22%7D" expand=1]
Senior year:
2. How you feel after loading up on necessary carbs and protein in the dining hall
Freshman year: [rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F09%2F10%2F6360907372004252321660547841_tumblr_nk1oszas0o1qj4315o1_500.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=485&h=0a6fa2453cc332aceda542aa3f8802b6751775970ea95e1345760c31f4bdcc6a&size=980x&c=3903635022 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F09%252F10%252F6360907372004252321660547841_tumblr_nk1oszas0o1qj4315o1_500.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D485%26h%3D0a6fa2453cc332aceda542aa3f8802b6751775970ea95e1345760c31f4bdcc6a%26size%3D980x%26c%3D3903635022%22%7D" expand=1]
Senior year: [rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F09%2F10%2F636090739286398920218099485_iregretnothing_zps3402d221.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=76&h=491125a826b759cacfb2222cb3175d121f70890c3420daa4f14bae4813fe97e1&size=980x&c=1155166418 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F09%252F10%252F636090739286398920218099485_iregretnothing_zps3402d221.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D76%26h%3D491125a826b759cacfb2222cb3175d121f70890c3420daa4f14bae4813fe97e1%26size%3D980x%26c%3D1155166418%22%7D" expand=1]
3. Warming up for practice
Freshman year: [rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F09%2F10%2F636090740955757408-982014253_HQsABhkdWwEVHhwEBwFKRlNGX1tEVl0QBBNfBh0VHgVZAwQAXlRXR1JFUk5aRURLFRoD.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=382&h=3be38f8ca8a99267f243d79faa05a2edaf1839e3f2bbb0aefd299d54f86d2cef&size=980x&c=1702509668 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F09%252F10%252F636090740955757408-982014253_HQsABhkdWwEVHhwEBwFKRlNGX1tEVl0QBBNfBh0VHgVZAwQAXlRXR1JFUk5aRURLFRoD.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D382%26h%3D3be38f8ca8a99267f243d79faa05a2edaf1839e3f2bbb0aefd299d54f86d2cef%26size%3D980x%26c%3D1702509668%22%7D" expand=1]
Senior year: [rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F09%2F10%2F6360907419873420901959391608_bridesmaids-gif-dancing-in-the-park-2.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=796&h=f19484a2d07a4b19b12c05743e0b3cd85e44efda2a672c570470f9decc72ad6e&size=980x&c=1555333777 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F09%252F10%252F6360907419873420901959391608_bridesmaids-gif-dancing-in-the-park-2.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D796%26h%3Df19484a2d07a4b19b12c05743e0b3cd85e44efda2a672c570470f9decc72ad6e%26size%3D980x%26c%3D1555333777%22%7D" expand=1]
4. Cooling off & relaxing post practice
Freshman year: [rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F09%2F10%2F636090741513785174602477756_leighyogacentralpark2.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=909&h=7d15b3bdb40eb31588fbb6a8a0d6b0827b60503ea10ecebd6a553e3d20adcc6b&size=980x&c=3526682781 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F09%252F10%252F636090741513785174602477756_leighyogacentralpark2.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D909%26h%3D7d15b3bdb40eb31588fbb6a8a0d6b0827b60503ea10ecebd6a553e3d20adcc6b%26size%3D980x%26c%3D3526682781%22%7D" expand=1]
Senior year: [rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F09%2F10%2F636090744830531881-2020574162_giphy%2520%281%29.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=140&h=a4d94958956bd0c98daa836809941bbdf203b8928f361c5bc6679f7111ecda39&size=980x&c=3351644918 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F09%252F10%252F636090744830531881-2020574162_giphy%252520%25281%2529.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D140%26h%3Da4d94958956bd0c98daa836809941bbdf203b8928f361c5bc6679f7111ecda39%26size%3D980x%26c%3D3351644918%22%7D" expand=1]
5. Putting on the uniform pants at the start of the new school year
Freshman year:
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F09%2F10%2F636090737871544235-848908120_79010-Pants-Dance-gif-without-arms-I-ubiD.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=266&h=158df849efd96ac59b7e1b220fa82cb24936bfd9286fdba294d6f22ab2b96a54&size=980x&c=3726627790 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F09%252F10%252F636090737871544235-848908120_79010-Pants-Dance-gif-without-arms-I-ubiD.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D266%26h%3D158df849efd96ac59b7e1b220fa82cb24936bfd9286fdba294d6f22ab2b96a54%26size%3D980x%26c%3D3726627790%22%7D" expand=1]
Senior year:
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F09%2F10%2F6360907385027260801714155682_anigif_original-grid-image-5497-1402410137-4.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=670&h=4bacc6bb9b7cdcc8e0972ca0d95afab8e1a8a138acc050a922805fe4c2eaaf0a&size=980x&c=4016842556 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F09%252F10%252F6360907385027260801714155682_anigif_original-grid-image-5497-1402410137-4.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D670%26h%3D4bacc6bb9b7cdcc8e0972ca0d95afab8e1a8a138acc050a922805fe4c2eaaf0a%26size%3D980x%26c%3D4016842556%22%7D" expand=1]
6. The partying scene with the team
Freshman year: [rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F09%2F10%2F636090745623911202-1175857994_giphy%2520%282%29.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=303&h=d432a96b28fdfab7583c7a8ded602a48afb2652d5ea1bc04f087cd88fb2c950b&size=980x&c=2285077725 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F09%252F10%252F636090745623911202-1175857994_giphy%252520%25282%2529.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D303%26h%3Dd432a96b28fdfab7583c7a8ded602a48afb2652d5ea1bc04f087cd88fb2c950b%26size%3D980x%26c%3D2285077725%22%7D" expand=1]
Senior year: [rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F09%2F10%2F6360907471447736751577539949_tumblr_lyerdm2uv91r3yftho1_500.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=413&h=54206f82a892fc487d7b9a17db024e501287c7dc11456311714f3bafc5f453b9&size=980x&c=3060971572 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F09%252F10%252F6360907471447736751577539949_tumblr_lyerdm2uv91r3yftho1_500.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D413%26h%3D54206f82a892fc487d7b9a17db024e501287c7dc11456311714f3bafc5f453b9%26size%3D980x%26c%3D3060971572%22%7D" expand=1]
7. Drinking
Freshman year: [rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F09%2F10%2F636090747957852468-1229031241_im-not-drunk-gif.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=213&h=a4f5bc68d708b4e168cfda0d5e088457717e71c87ccfb999fe11877dd73b470f&size=980x&c=798109158 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F09%252F10%252F636090747957852468-1229031241_im-not-drunk-gif.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D213%26h%3Da4f5bc68d708b4e168cfda0d5e088457717e71c87ccfb999fe11877dd73b470f%26size%3D980x%26c%3D798109158%22%7D" expand=1]
Senior year: [rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F09%2F10%2F636090750312089635242166392_tumblr_inline_njblckiBbR1qjs3n6.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=647&h=24d6dff485f725204e22a2efa3079e572ffe466cab25e128948e91e0dc7bb8f7&size=980x&c=1264365525 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F09%252F10%252F636090750312089635242166392_tumblr_inline_njblckiBbR1qjs3n6.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D647%26h%3D24d6dff485f725204e22a2efa3079e572ffe466cab25e128948e91e0dc7bb8f7%26size%3D980x%26c%3D1264365525%22%7D" expand=1]
8. Seeing hot seniors on the football team
Freshman year: [rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F09%2F10%2F636090751277933029-812529035_giphy%2520%283%29.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=803&h=0a91d36a4d5380099c4cd1694ed841fad23ad07b73bcb0e7386b6802cb40d31b&size=980x&c=2234854200 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F09%252F10%252F636090751277933029-812529035_giphy%252520%25283%2529.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D803%26h%3D0a91d36a4d5380099c4cd1694ed841fad23ad07b73bcb0e7386b6802cb40d31b%26size%3D980x%26c%3D2234854200%22%7D" expand=1]
Senior year: [rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F09%2F10%2F636090752526756767-193412478_Second-child-yeah-just-cry-out-kiddo.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=491&h=c00d4053ff06834b6ad7c2a4f49f27ff2bef724c229d379d839a792981e980ce&size=980x&c=4103206960 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F09%252F10%252F636090752526756767-193412478_Second-child-yeah-just-cry-out-kiddo.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D491%26h%3Dc00d4053ff06834b6ad7c2a4f49f27ff2bef724c229d379d839a792981e980ce%26size%3D980x%26c%3D4103206960%22%7D" expand=1]
9. Carrying equipment
Freshman year: [rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F09%2F10%2F6360907576997653092089663187_Carrying%2520bags.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=269&h=f05a8f12ed98accc7831841091f63b0c55377c4db34174ce1219e822185fc1f1&size=980x&c=2604880803 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F09%252F10%252F6360907576997653092089663187_Carrying%252520bags.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D269%26h%3Df05a8f12ed98accc7831841091f63b0c55377c4db34174ce1219e822185fc1f1%26size%3D980x%26c%3D2604880803%22%7D" expand=1]
Senior year: [rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F09%2F10%2F636090760612093451614091016_tumblr_o4cvn29SFI1qdla50o1_500.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=968&h=83d3df9508f39b8458e406b2d4de5426a8046ae67a79bdaf62e0bce126565f05&size=980x&c=2524727500 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F09%252F10%252F636090760612093451614091016_tumblr_o4cvn29SFI1qdla50o1_500.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D968%26h%3D83d3df9508f39b8458e406b2d4de5426a8046ae67a79bdaf62e0bce126565f05%26size%3D980x%26c%3D2524727500%22%7D" expand=1]
10. How you feel at the end of a long day of practice
Freshman year: [rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F09%2F10%2F6360907570825139101187877123_giphy%2520%284%29.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=718&h=e2589af4ae5a6ef9abb5440c25655422187005edfcfef92f6e70212e895e11c0&size=980x&c=1537482836 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F09%252F10%252F6360907570825139101187877123_giphy%252520%25284%2529.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D718%26h%3De2589af4ae5a6ef9abb5440c25655422187005edfcfef92f6e70212e895e11c0%26size%3D980x%26c%3D1537482836%22%7D" expand=1]
Senior year:
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F09%2F10%2F636090757210126728-1007618184_BbwDmV.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=102&h=1cac0e2814aa2414eae4708bf715c20df959ca477571d3568ddbb9a26f5d68b1&size=980x&c=736218053 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F09%252F10%252F636090757210126728-1007618184_BbwDmV.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D102%26h%3D1cac0e2814aa2414eae4708bf715c20df959ca477571d3568ddbb9a26f5d68b1%26size%3D980x%26c%3D736218053%22%7D" expand=1]
11. Dressing for class
Freshman year: [rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F09%2F10%2F6360907635111824171190959021_fashion-2015-10-fall-layering-paris-fashion-week-street-style-Elena-Halimi-01-main.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=416&h=bdd7ad868ce7472492856c581c99b466d69d9601a000586ecc88fe8cee2090ec&size=980x&c=2869154835 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F09%252F10%252F6360907635111824171190959021_fashion-2015-10-fall-layering-paris-fashion-week-street-style-Elena-Halimi-01-main.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D416%26h%3Dbdd7ad868ce7472492856c581c99b466d69d9601a000586ecc88fe8cee2090ec%26size%3D980x%26c%3D2869154835%22%7D" expand=1]
Senior year: [rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F09%2F10%2F63609076361087274426272012_dakota-johnson-sweatpants.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=119&h=d070089af782cffd2c31c3a14c03d1748272b35f801c23e4392d26a5d64f7059&size=980x&c=1168393737 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F09%252F10%252F63609076361087274426272012_dakota-johnson-sweatpants.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D119%26h%3Dd070089af782cffd2c31c3a14c03d1748272b35f801c23e4392d26a5d64f7059%26size%3D980x%26c%3D1168393737%22%7D" expand=1]
12. The locker room experience
Freshman year: [rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F09%2F10%2F636090772536711423406322330_The%2B10%2BWorst%2BParts%2BAbout%2BMorning%2BWorkouts.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=204&h=29c3005395811a7325b328ef46155421da0e85b5c5eb7e64ce8787778a5b6d98&size=980x&c=3745165782 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F09%252F10%252F636090772536711423406322330_The%252B10%252BWorst%252BParts%252BAbout%252BMorning%252BWorkouts.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D204%26h%3D29c3005395811a7325b328ef46155421da0e85b5c5eb7e64ce8787778a5b6d98%26size%3D980x%26c%3D3745165782%22%7D" expand=1]
Senior year:
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F09%2F10%2F6360907743204110691520556288_tumblr_mewtpxMZXb1rypkdp.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=246&h=70a36eb336ad8146911226501754d0bf7da20db68e76cb17afb52fbd8c07b38d&size=980x&c=177810379 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F09%252F10%252F6360907743204110691520556288_tumblr_mewtpxMZXb1rypkdp.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D246%26h%3D70a36eb336ad8146911226501754d0bf7da20db68e76cb17afb52fbd8c07b38d%26size%3D980x%26c%3D177810379%22%7D" expand=1]
13. How you feel about your teammates
Freshman year:
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F09%2F10%2F6360907633839904241759237655_gr9RJ.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=71&h=9eeb1534c4d1a5cadee6094ef653f4a5c6df231e219edbb6b6db524394cc382d&size=980x&c=78364212 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F09%252F10%252F6360907633839904241759237655_gr9RJ.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D71%26h%3D9eeb1534c4d1a5cadee6094ef653f4a5c6df231e219edbb6b6db524394cc382d%26size%3D980x%26c%3D78364212%22%7D" expand=1]
Senior year: [rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F09%2F10%2F636090763425459815-365135997_gr9RJ.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=424&h=1489befabbb2bdc0f9f1bf6f9052d3a462d2d6e6e5d0ae16d07aeb144bdecf3a&size=980x&c=876489676 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F09%252F10%252F636090763425459815-365135997_gr9RJ.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D424%26h%3D1489befabbb2bdc0f9f1bf6f9052d3a462d2d6e6e5d0ae16d07aeb144bdecf3a%26size%3D980x%26c%3D876489676%22%7D" expand=1]
Some things won't ever change <3
