The reality of life isn't easy. Life can be difficult, especially with the stress and overwhelming feelings of being a student at a university. From the bottomless papers that must be written by midnight to the numerous social activities that you "just cannot miss", the life of a student can be very intense.

For me, I was nervous and anxious about entering my new endeavor as a college student this past fall. I was planning on taking it slow and just focusing on my studies but as classes began and social events knocked on my door, I went into full swing and absorbed every single moment. This includes joining a team, the Virginia Riding Team.

I had ridden for over 15 years, but as I entered the university life, I thought I wanted a change of pace. After two weeks without horses and riding, I decided to attend the riding team interest meeting.

At this meeting I was inspired; I saw a group of close-knit, upperclassmen girls who held a passion for equines and had a strong friendship. Each of them had bonded with their love for the sport, and it made me realize I wanted those relationships.

Thus, here are three reasons, joining some type of university team is a must:

1. Stress relief

When you enjoy doing something, whether it be riding horses, playing soccer, playing chess, it makes your life much more enjoyable. Thus, allows you to relieve stress, even if it is just for 15 minutes.

2. Long-lasting friendships

Not only is joining a team a way for you to make friends and gain useful connections, but it is a way to be around people who have similar interests. Even when you feel like death after a difficult, draining practice or feeling like a failure after a loss, you will always have your teammates by your side.

By surrounding yourself with friends who are also your teammates, there will be positivity and support surrounding you!

3. FUN

Joining a team can be a whimsical experience, filled with laughs, smiles, and even tears. If you have competitions, you may win some or lose some, but, in the end, the experience will be fun.

Overall, joining a university team is worth every moment. It allows you to socialize with people of similar interests, practice hard with the support from your teammates, and surround yourself with a positive environment.

These people are not just your teammates, but your friends; they will make you push yourself and better yourself, all while having a blast! It is not just a team, but a family.