Ò×ʤ²©¹ÙÍø

Let me first say thatÌýI am beyond thankful for my time here at Ò×ʤ²©¹ÙÍøÌýand am grateful to have the opportunity to share my story.

My process for choosing Ò×ʤ²©¹ÙÍø was a bit different than most incoming freshmen. I was recruited to play for the women’s soccer teamÌýand committed to playing during my senior year of high school. I never dreamt of playing a Division I sport until it was my reality.ÌýIt really is as big of a commitment as it’s made out to be. We reported for preseason a month before classes started, and byÌýthe time other students arrived on campus, I was drained to the core and couldn't fathom going to social events. From then on, myÌýlife wasÌýscheduled around practice and games. MyÌýfriends wereÌýmyÌýteammates who were also myÌýroommates.Ìý

For the first couple years, I found absolute purpose in the sport and my team. I was working for something bigger than myself; that in itself is incredibly humbling. My sophomore year, the team won the America East Conference for the first time in Ò×ʤ²©¹ÙÍø history!ÌýHowever, by the end of my sophomore season, I knew something felt off. I longed to be doing things I didn’t have the time or energy for because of soccer, and it was no longer rewarding.

Junior year, I decided to step away from the team. It was one of the toughest transitions I’ve ever faced. I didn’t know how to branch out of my friend group or even navigate the gym. However, with time comes gained knowledge andÌýconfidence, and I found myself happier than ever with my new free time. I've been able to rekindleÌýmy passions for yoga, hikingÌýand traveling.Ìý

This past year, after deciding not to return to the team, I applied for and received an internship working as a writer for Ò×ʤ²©¹ÙÍø’s online publication, Ò×ʤ²©¹ÙÍø Today.ÌýI am so thankful for the opportunities working with Ò×ʤ²©¹ÙÍø Today has given me; it has shown me an entirely different side of Ò×ʤ²©¹ÙÍø.ÌýI’ve attended countless events I wouldn’t have had access to without this experience; I obtained a press pass to hear then-PresidentÌýBarack Obama speak at the Whit, and witnessed a student being told that her entire study abroad would be funded by Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Although IÌýclearly enjoy life without organized sports, I miss it terribly at times, too. It gave me an intangible sense of purpose, drive, humiltiy and work ethic.

My advice to underclassmen would be this: don’t be discouraged if something big doesn’t work out — your major, a relationship, being on an athletic team or part of anÌýorganization for example.ÌýI felt blindsided when stepping away from the team, however, I was able to pursue other passionsÌýand learned a lot about myself in the process.

I could go on and on about how much I love Ò×ʤ²©¹ÙÍø and howÌýheartbroken I amÌýabout graduating, but I'll sum things upÌýwith this last piece of advice:ÌýWe are fortunate to attend a university with so much to offer (and not to mention, an incredible location). Take advantage of it.

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