Freshman year of college is a exciting and very stressful. Being apart of a sports team helps make a smooth transition into your new home.

1. Friends

College is all about meeting new people and making friends that will help you along in the school year. If you're someone, like me, who struggles with starting conversation with strangers, then sports teams are a great first step. Even though you're kind of forced to, you'll get to spend a lot of time with your teammates at practice and competition.

2. Big Brother/Sister

One of the necessities about moving to an unknown area is learning how the system works and the flow of your campus. Even if you feel like you know the campus inside and out, there will be times when you'll need help from an experienced student. Your teammates are always a great source to ask questions.

3. Escaping the Freshman 15

Yes it is most definitely real. The "Freshman 15" will sneak up on you quickly. Being on a team will keep you active and help avoid packing on the pounds. (Bonus: you actually get to eat more because of all those calories you burned at practice!)

4. Family Away From Home

Whether you're one hour or 10+ hours away from your family, you will get homesick. You're with your teammates every day so forming a tight, family-like bond is inevitable. They'll have your back when you have a mental breakdown & want to drop out of college (because that is inevitable too).

5. Motivation

"The strength of the team is each member. The strength of each member is the team." The goal of every season is to have the most successful season possible but that goal is not obtainable if members are not keeping up with their school work. No matter how well your team is performing that season, members have to also be performing well in the classroom. Many teams, like mine, implement a mandatory team study hall and a minimum GPA requirement, in order to remain in good standing to practice & compete.