For as long as I can remember I have been an athlete.

During my high school years, I was a two-sport athlete participating in ice hockey and lacrosse. These two seasons are back-to-back, so I did not really get a break in between.

I was constantly rushing from school to practice, then I didn't get home until around 5:30 or 6:00.I would usually relax for a little while because I definitely needed a break before I hit the books. I then would be up until about 10:30 or 11:00 studying and doing homework- which was not too bad of a bedtime for myself. It was manageable but tiring at some times.

During the summer of 2014, right before I started my freshman year at Curry College, I decided to take on the challenge of joining the women's lacrosse team.

During my freshman year, I took some general classes that were required to graduate, so my workload on top of playing lacrosse was not all that bad. I did, of course, have some late nights at the library and called my mom when I was stressed out, but it was nothing I could not handle. I ended freshmen year with a 3.3 GPA which was a lot higher than my high school 2.8 GPA.

My sophomore year, I had a real challenge up ahead during spring lacrosse season. When it was time to sign up for spring classes, I hit a problem while signing up for my psychology major courses. I ended up being in two very difficult courses with the same professor. After looking at both class schedules and my lacrosse schedule, I realized I would be missing three class meetings per class because of games.

When I bought this to the professor's attention, I was told to drop one of the classes because I would most likely not do well. I was frustrated with the answer; I felt as though this professor was quick to judge me as your "typical student-athlete". I was ready to prove him wrong. I was ready to work harder than I ever have before. I was ready to break the stereotype about student-athletes.

Guess what? I did.

That spring, I played in every lacrosse game, went to every practice, missed a lot of classes, but I maintained my highest GPA yet. My hard work definitely paid off that semester. Yes, there were many late nights at the library, and many phone calls crying to my mom. But I pushed through it all.

I walked out of both those classes with my head high and an A- in each course. There is no doubt that this professor pushed me to the best of my ability, but I did it all on my own. I ended that semester with a 3.45 GPA and a terrific lacrosse season.

During that semester I learned a lot about myself and what my full potential is. I am not done breaking the stereotype regarding student-athletes yet, but it is beginning to crack. My GPA is only on the rise while continuing to play lacrosse at Curry and also participating in other clubs and activities. Us student-athletes, we may work harder than anyone else does in a classroom setting because that is what we are used to. I am used to the blood, sweat, and tears on the field so why not keep that mentality off the field too?

It is time to break the stereotype about student-athletes just being athletes. Myself, and many others, are here to break it.