Coming to college is a huge adjustment to any student's life. Not only are friends and loved ones left behind, but it also very common to leave the sport that stole your heart behind too. The sport that you have spent your entire life, or most of it, playing. The sport that you dedicated yourself to, and the sport that you gave your all. The sport you put your heart into and the one that will keep your heart forever.
Unless you plan on continuing athletics in college, it will be a huge adjustment to let it go. Although it is a huge adjustment, the sport can now play a completely different role in your life. Although you may never officially play again, you have the opportunity to make an immense impact on those kids who are just starting to play and need to be inspired. Having experienced coaching a team, I can tell you that it is just as rewarding as playing and winning yourself. Seeing the hard work that your team puts in and seeing it pay off when they play is a different feeling of accomplishment. You obviously are excited for the kids to play and be able to have fun. It takes you back to when you were their age and makes you remember why you fell in love with the sport all along.
Leaving it behind will always be the hardest part. But growing from what it taught you will be the best. In my case, soccer has taught me that when you fall down (literally), there is no time to wait and feel sorry for yourself. You have to get back up and keep going. This sport has made me cry, made me laugh, made me bleed from cuts and scrapes and also make me love. I remember my mom made me choose between dance class and soccer, but that decision was easy. Let’s just say I never put those tap shoes on again. Now, I am not saying soccer was easy for me by any means. It made me become one of the most dedicated players on the field who would do anything if it meant helping to improve my skills. Unfortunately, I will not be furthering my soccer career to the collegiate level because it would ruin it for me. I would no longer love the sport that has my heart, which would lead to the biggest break up of all time. But I will be taking all of the attributes that soccer has taught me, and I will hold on to them for the rest of my life. So to the next girl who puts on number 38 at my high school for the years to come, please aspire to love the sport and love everything it gives you because it just ends to quickly.
