ATHLETE SURVIVAL GUIDE

34 sports / northwest missourian NORTHWEST ATHLETE SURVIVAL GUIDE

CORBIN SMITH Sports Reporter @curly_corbs

Collegiate student-athletes juggle mental and physical barriers on a day-to-day basis. Fail to learn how to manage your thoughts and your mind will betray you. If you don’t understand your body, you can’t perform at your best.

I’ve learned a lot about myself in my first year. I thoroughly enjoy running track for Northwest, and after some horrific practices, I managed to survive and refl ect on how I do so.

Here are some tips that helped me transition from a high school athlete to a collegiate athlete.

1. You’re a student before you’re an athlete.

Get used to hearing that on repeat once your season starts. I advise fi nishing school work before practice or planning other activities. Don’t think about competing if your grades aren’t in shape.

Staying focused outside of practice is just as important. Don’t risk your scholarship because you hurt yourself doing something you weren’t supposed to. Nobody wants to struggle in practice or underperform in competition.

2. Do NOT compare yourself to your teammates.

I understand you’re an athlete and you like to compete, but competing isn’t the same as measuring your progress against your teammates.

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They’re more experienced, so they’re going to be ahead of you. Be patient — your freshman year is basically a practice round, and it won’t be perfect.

3. Everybody was the best on their high school team; that’s why you’re here.

I love refl ecting on my high school races, especially because my senior year is the only reason I’m here. However, that was high school, and now I’m back at square one, a gear in a well-oiled machine.

Collegiate competition is a whole different level. Training, mentality, effort — it will take some growing before you can keep up.

4. Take care of your body or lose it.

Going to the trainers might be scary the fi rst few visits, but the staff is really helpful. Refusing to see them causes injuries to become your own fault and your coach will not be pleased, to say the least. You’re an athlete, not invincible.

Eating and sleeping right is crucial in keeping your body competition ready. Check out Nathan English’s take on eating healthy at the Union. Also, don’t stay up late when you know you have weights in the morning; it’s already hard enough to wake up.

5. Enjoy yourself. You’ve earned it.

Being a collegiate athlete comes with some pressure, sometimes the not-so-fun kind. Take moments to remind yourself why you chose this sport. Remembering why you play sports makes practices more enjoyable; you’ll be excited to get in uniform and good performances will come.

I learned all this in my fi rst year of college and I’m more excited for round two. Good luck, and I’ll probably see you around.

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