College can be very stressful and hard to deal with at times. Joining a club is proven to help with the transition into college life. When I joined my club this past fall, I was super nervous. After meeting everyone on the team and going to meetings; I felt so much better about college itself. Everyone was so nice and accepted me onto the club with open arms.

Being apart of the IHSA equestrian circuit for my first year in college will be an experience I will not forget. The IHSA is an organization that allows students to continue to show horses while in college.

Not only have I met amazing people, I have also achieved goals I thought ended after high school. Even though there were many compromises, like waking up at 4:30 am to drive 2 hours to a competition or going to practice instead of going out on the weekends or catching up on homework and sleep.

Meeting so many unique and interesting people has broadened my horizons. I am so grateful to my team for accepting me into their little family. Getting involved also is great for integrating into the college lifestyle. Instead of staying in and waiting for classes, clubs help pass the time. So far, being apart of a club sport has been my best experience while in college.

As my first season for the IHSA circuit comes to an end, I realize I have had the best experience with my team. I am grateful for the opportunities given to me while competing with my team. There is no way any other experience could have given me all the lessons I've learned during this year. I cannot wait to continue to compete for a club sport next year while I continue pursuing my dreams.

Do not let the stereotypes of doing clubs while in college ruin your experience. Even I had my own opinions about what kind of people do club sports. That was before I actually joined my club now, of course. Club sports can provide beneficial skills, like communication, work ethic and teamwork.

For anyone looking into joining a club while in college, do it. Don’t wait because you could be missing the time of your life. No matter what it is, whether a club sport or even just a group who meets up, there is always something new to experience. Your favorite sport does not need to end in high school!