Being an incoming freshman on a college sports team is very exciting, but also frightening at the same time. It has most likely been a dream of yours to play at the collegiate level and now you have the chance to show everyone that you deserve to be on the team. You are going from being the oldest on the team to now being the youngest. You do not know the team and coaches that well, but after just day one of being on the team you will have a second family. Being able to play a sport you love in college gives you more opportunities than you could ever imagine. You can travel with your team, you have instant friends, and you get to gain more skills playing the sport you love to play.
Best Advice:
It is best to not have expectations when entering your freshman year of college. It will be a year of changes and everyone has a different experience. It is important not to draw a picture in your head of how your first time meeting the team will go or the first practice because it most likely will be different than what you expect. Do not let your nerves stop you from doing anything because after day one of meeting your team you will realize there is nothing to be nervous about, since they will become your second family and first family at school.
It is important that freshman go in with an open mind. It is ok if you are not the star player. Most freshman do not even get to start, but it helps the individual player work toward a goal. By setting goals to reach, you push yourself each season, but it also helps you push your teammates to their top success. As a player, you should never get down on yourself based on your performance because everyone has highs and lows. Your freshman season will be your hardest season, since everything is new to you. In order to reach your goal, you need to push yourself everyday at practice, lifts, or workouts.
How to Adapt:
When walking out to your first practice or going to your first team meeting it is important that you are willing to do anything for the team, whether that is playing a new position or talking to a different teammate. Be willing to get to know your whole team, not just other players in your grade. Most of the upperclassmen on your team will want to get to know you and they have been in your exact position of not knowing anyone else. Also be welcoming to everyone on your team, especially your coaches. Your teammates and coaches will be the people you go to for advice the next four years and will be your best support system during your college years.
Adapting to balancing a new workload schedule can be hard in the beginning because you will have more work than you did in high school, but everyone on your team is in the same position. Most teams will have study sessions where it is required for the team to meet up after practice and all do your work together. It helps new players work on time management, but also motivates them to get their work completed. It is important to ask your teammates for help when you are struggling in class. Do not over stress your work because your teammates will be willing to help you and they can help you find a tutor for class work you missed due to traveling or a game.
Balancing social life and athletics can be challenging in the beginning because you will want to meet all new friends as an incoming freshman, but through your team you will meet your teammates friends, but also other sports team members. Most freshman athletes fear not meeting people because of having practice or not being able to go out, but it is important to form close friendships with your teammates. Most teams are all close at the college level because all the teams support each other at games or meets. You will have time to hangout with your friends outside on the weekends and on off days.
During your College Athletic Experience:
I am currently on the women's tennis team at Roger Williams University and could not be more grateful for the people I have met, including teammates, coaches, trainers, AD, and opponents. I have gained more opportunities than I could imagine that have allowed me to become the person I am today. It has made me physically and mentally tougher. It has allowed me to manage my time better, become a team driven person, and overall grow as an individual. I have had some of the best moments of my life while playing tennis in college and will cherish the memories I have created. I hope that the incoming freshman reading this blog is now more confident walking into their first practice because their journey is only just beginning. You only have four years to play a college sport and it is important to make the best of every second you have playing the sport you have loved your whole life.