The life of a student-athlete can be tedious at times. Yet, with the struggles come rewards bigger than ever imaginable. As a college soccer player myself, I've learned so many important skills that will carry over into my later adulthood.
1. Time management.
Being a student-athlete, you have to juggle multiple things in life, whether it be practice, games, classes, homework ... it’s a never-ending cycle. Even though it’s been a crazy ride these past three years, all the juggling I’ve done has most definitely prepared me to be a great employee for a company one day. My biggest asset from being a student-athlete was learning how to manage my time. I now have a strength that will put me apart from others, simply because I was fortunate to live the crazy life of a student-athlete.
2. You learn to work in a team setting.
Working in a team setting is incredibly important in the work world. Playing soccer in college has shaped me immensely for this opportunity. Yes, it can be difficult at times to agree with 20 other girls, but it’s a challenge that I will gladly accept any day. Employers are always asking how well you work in a team setting, and honestly, if I did not have the opportunity of being a student-athlete, then I would not consider this as a strength of mine. Being on a team, you learn a sense of leadership and cooperation. These two elements are essential to being successful in the work force. So through all the compromising and understanding that I have done with 20 girls, I am beyond thankful for that experience.
3. You make friendships and connections for life.
My favorite part of being a student-athlete is the fact that I have 20 other girls that I can call family. My team is a group of amazing girls that I am so lucky to call teammates. They have seen me at my high points as well as my low points. Being on a sports team in college, you are lucky enough to find some of your very best friends and people that will be friends for a lifetime. On the other end of the spectrum, it creates connections that you will be able to use for life. When searching for jobs, being a student-athlete allows you to have connections to people everywhere. Whether you actually played with the person or they were on the team in the past, it’s such a great connection to have and cherish.
4. You get to travel.
Some of my greatest memories as a student-athlete were the road trips we got to take. If it weren’t for my soccer career, I would never have been able to experience some of the places I have been. Being on a sports team in college gives you the opportunity to travel to some pretty awesome places, and I will always be grateful for that! Even though it’s countless hours on a bus, the drive is so worth it every time. The places you go and some of the people you meet will be memories that will last a lifetime.
5. Free food.
Let’s be honest, as student-athletes we like to eat a lot of food. And what’s better than all the free food we get? Out of every student-athlete I’ve met, no one eats more than we do. We athletes are definitely given the privilege of eating lots of free food. I don’t take this subject lightly by any means. People who know me know not to joke around about free food in front of me. I will jump on any chance I get to eat free food (any food for that matter). So as a student-athlete, I love the opportunity to scarf down free food.
Being a student-athlete has made me a better person and for that, I am thankful.
