I loved to compete in high school, but I wasn’t sure if I was high enough caliber for college level competition. Luckily for me, my Division Three school was the perfect fit, athletically and academically. So here are my top four reasons I’m glad I compete as a D3 athlete.
1. Staying in shape, mentally and physically (with the help of a team)
I feel like this is the very, “Duh” reason that people think of when I tell them I continued my running career into college. And sure, it’s great to continue to have a team there to motivate me through workouts. The level of support I have from my team here is so much more than it was in high school. Workouts are much more intense; sure they aren’t the same level of competition as those at Division One schools, but we work just as hard and have double the fun. It pays to have teammates who are with you on your quest to stay healthy. So, yeah, your body gets to feel good, but your mind does also. When I’ve had a bad day, I can always count on a workout with the team to get my mind off that final exam or that embarrassing thing I did the weekend before. Continuing my athletic career has helped keep my mind in as good of shape as my body.
2. Learning the time management.
I know how cheesy this sounds, “A D3 athlete saying how they have to manage their time? They don’t even do that much!” Right. Being part of a prestigious private school with challenging classes and hours of homework, plus six hours a week at work study is nothing. Oh, and add on top of that at least fifteen hours of practice a week plus competitions. Did I forget to mention the other activities and friends I want to have? Division three athletes have to learn to balance all of this while trying to keep up a social life. I have learned that it doesn’t pay to watch too much Netflix and that I have to schedule out time for everything. I know time has real value and I know to make the most of it with my busy schedule.
3. Meeting and making friends.
Honestly, coming to college I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to make that many friends. I see myself as kind of awkward and shy, so meeting people seemed like it was going to be a big problem. However, being a part of a team has helped me become acquainted with so many amazing and different people. I have made so many friends, and not just other first years. It’s amazing to walk around campus and be able to chat with or say hi to over one hundred people on my team. While every team might not be as large as a track team, the point is still the same. You have the chance to bond with and become family with your teammates.
4. Keep on Living that Dream
Another cliché, I know, not wanting to give up your high school career because it was, “the best time of your life”. Well, guess what? It doesn’t have to end. A division one school might not attainable with your skill level (I know mine wasn’t), but a D3 school is perfect for people who want to keep on competing and having fun. You don’t have to give up on your dreams of running for your school; you just need to shift them to fit your changing life. I was sad the last time I pulled on my high school jersey senior year, but I have never been happier than when I got to pull on my college one for the first time. I get to keep pushing myself to do the best that I can and keep on striving to win every race that I can, just on a bigger scale than I did in high school.
