Starting college can be overwhelming, you’re in a new place and have a different environment to navigate. As a former high school athlete, and someone who grew up playing sports, the transition from having sports routines and practice everyday, to a schedule full of college classes and extracurriculars, can be difficult. In this blog I will share some things that I did to make the transition easier, in hopes that these tips can help you as well.
- Maintain a routine
Whether you are a runner, a swimmer, or played in any type of individual or team sport, continuing to workout is a great way to cope with stress, to maintain physical and mental health, and to create a sense of routine and habit in your day. Finding a workout that is similar to the training you may have done in high school is a great way to continue to use those same muscles and improve on your skills.
- Set goals
Setting goals for yourself is a great way to maintain a competitive spirit and push yourself. Though you may not have a coach who provides you with a training plan, or a game to prepare for, setting short-term and long-term goals for yourself is a great way to see growth. For example, I like to set a goal every few weeks for the amount of weight I can lift at the gym.
- Join an intramural Team
ASU has intramural teams every semester for a variety of sports including soccer, flag football, volleyball, soccer, and even real life Battleship in the SDFC pool. Joining an intramural team is a great way to develop friendships and continue playing a sport in a friendly, competitive environment.
- Eat nutritious foods
The Dining Hall has a range of different foods, from pizza, burgers and fries, to sandwiches, salads and desserts. Eating nutritious foods will give you energy for your day, and is important for maintaining health. It can be hard seeing your body change in college, it is important to remember that muscle and weight change are completely normal, and it is okay for your body to look different than it has in the past. Incorporate healthy practices in your life to maintain a healthy, growing body.
- Discover new hobbies
Lastly, it is important to remember that your identity is not defined by the sport you play. College is a great time to explore new interests you may not have had time for, or try new sports. ASU offers many different clubs and programs so that you can find a community of people that have the similar interests to you.
Missing playing a sport or being on a team is completely normal, especially after competitively playing for many years, the sudden free time and lack of commitments may be difficult to navigate. Try these tips to support you in the transition.
Good luck and you got this!
Diya Murthy
Sophomore, Political Science and Philosophy
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