I have just recently returned home from college and find myself reflecting back on my freshman year. After sleeping in my own bed and eating a few home cooked meals, I realize that I really wish someone would have laid out the do’s and don’ts of being a collegiate equestrian athlete before I made the trip from Minnesota to Stillwater.
I learned a lot about myself through relationships, friendships and being on the team at Oklahoma State this past year. It was no surprise that I would undergo a lot of changes as a freshman, but I never understood what those life changing experiences would be. Figuring out how to balance school, family and friends while being a collegiate athlete was extremely difficult for many of my friends and me.
It’s safe to say my first semester was a little rough. I had lost myself and what I was passionate about, but my mom and some of the upperclassmen on the team kept telling me “things will get better.” At first, I did not believe that, but by my second semester, I saw a light at the end of the tunnel. Because of that, I am hoping this survival guide for all incoming freshman will help you plan ahead for what can, and should be, a very exciting time for you.
10 Tips to Surviving Freshman Year
- Make sure to sleep when given the opportunity. Between workouts 3 days a week, riding 5 days a week, managing class workloads and team meetings, you tend to get run-down VERY quickly. Unfortunately, it took me all of my freshman year to learn this. Between getting a kidney infection and kidney stones the first week of school, battling sinus infections all year long and mononucleosis second semester, I developed a serious relationship with sleep. Moral of the story, do NOT stay up all night studying because you will most likely be a noodle at workouts the next morning.
- Park in the right zone. I was late for practice at least five times because I got a boot on my car from parking in the wrong place. It was so embarrassing and my parents paid my tuition’s worth in parking tickets this year. Also, avoid parking by the baseball field. If you are an unlucky person like me, foul balls will always find a way to break your sunroof.
Have confidence in yourself at practice. That is one area I really struggled with since I am a self-proclaimed perfectionist. It is hard riding a different horse every day and adapting to that horse you are on. Take a deep breath and remember you are talented and were selected to be on that team for a reason. Do NOT let the little voices in your head mess with your self-esteem.- Although this is a “team”, equestrian is a sport judged individually and not everybody will get to compete. It will be frustrating at times, seniority can play a big role.
Maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine. My friends and I binged on pizza and cookies first semester. In the end, our bodies paid the price; we had no energy and suffered from a negative self-image. Second semester we started eating healthier and going on runs around campus to keep in shape. If you look good, you feel good!- Keep a checklist of all your assignments and tests. Writing deadlines on a calendar helps you plan out your week. It’s extremely important to remember that even though you are an athlete, you are also a student. Being an athlete is helping you pay for your college education. If athletics takes you away from studying or achieving your academic goals, maybe it is not right for you. Never forget your end goal.
- Respect everyone unless they give you a reason not to. This, to me, is super important. If you do not trust and respect your teammates, how can you expect to perform well? It is easy to get caught up in drama and rumors, but being honest with one another and communicating will help bring you closer.
Find your friends and never let them go. These friends you make will be your friends for the rest of your life. Cherish them and take in every moment. You will laugh, cry, smile, yell and grow up together. Accept their similarities and most importantly, love them for their differences. My girls and my close guy friends on the wrestling team have been there for me through every heartbreak and triumph this past year. One year ago, I never would have imagined that I would have the amazing friends I do now. Do not ever allow one person to pull you away from them. Trust me, you will regret it if you do.- Call your parents at least once a week. Your parents only want the best for you. Remember, you would not be able to attend college if it was not for them. My mother and I became even closer this past year. I did not think it was possible for my relationship with my parents to be any stronger than it was, but my freshman year in college definitely made it better. My dad still believes I only called him when I was having troubles with my car or needed money on my credit card (which is only partially true.)
- It is okay to change. It is okay to change your mind, your major, your attitude, your outlook on life or how you ride horses. And it is okay for you to change. College is supposed to be where you discover who you are, which means you constantly will grow and evolve into your own flower.
