Though college is full of organizations and clubs to join, from time to time I find myself seriously missing being a three-sport athlete like I was in high school. Back then, balancing my time was so much easier and I couldn't imagine going through high school without playing a sport every season. Going into college, I knew I wasn't going to be playing a varsity sport, but I didn't realize how much I would miss the structure and routine of playing an organized sport. Even as a sophomore, it's still an adjustment that I'm getting used to.

When I see people heading to practice or running on the track, it makes me miss the days of long practices and bus rides to away games. It's always weird for me to say "no" when people ask if I play a sport in college because being an athlete was part of my identity for over a decade. Playing sports also means being on a team, which is a major aspect of sports that I miss. Participating in sports from a very young age has influenced the way I live now, and I hope that sports will follow me throughout my life, even if it won't be in such a high-intensity way as it used to be.

Though I no longer play a varsity sport, I still consider myself an athlete, and I always will. Sports have inspired me to stay active and healthy, even if there is no competition to win or time to beat. Being on many different teams throughout my childhood and teenage years has taught me how to be a good teammate, and how to listen and be compassionate of others. I may not be on a college sports team, but I will always be an athlete at heart.