I've always been an athlete. From the age of four to now at 21, almost 22– almost my entire life has been spent being an athlete. When I came to college to play softball, I always heard the horror stories. The ones about early morning workouts, late night practices, as well as late nights in the library doing homework. Needless to say, they weren't wrong, but the reality wasn't all too bad as it was made out to be, because the one thing people forgot to mention about these 'horror stories' was that you weren't going through them alone. There were hundreds of other athletes on campus, in season or not, who were dealing with the same struggles as you. Here are a few things that all student athletes know too well.

1. Midweek parties

There's always the occasional midweek campus party for whatever reason. Maybe it's 'Thirsty Thursday' or 'First Friday.' Whatever it is though, you can never go because you either have practice or a game the next day.

2. Early bed time

Normally you're in bed around 11PM, maybe no later than midnight. But wait– factor in an early morning lift or practice and suddenly you're finding yourself in bed way before the rest of your roommates at 9PM.

3. Ice baths

As if taking them voluntarily was hard enough, the moment that Coach makes them mandatory is even harder. It's like being trapped inside a glacier for 15 minutes. Sure, you lose some feeling in your toes for awhile, but in the end ice baths sure are magical when it comes to helping your soreness.

4. Gatorade

Most of your friends use it for a mixer on crazy Saturday nights or even on Sunday for those horrible hangovers. However, Gatorade for you is rarely used in those events...but instead as a way to refurbish your electrolytes during games or practices.

5. Your wardrobe is 90% team gear

From practice shirts and shorts to all of the amazing sweatshirts, workout pants, shoes, long sleeves, and anything else that can be put on a team package– you own it all. The other 10% are clothes range from casual to night out, which you probably won't wear half of the time. But when it's one of those days you want to dress "nice," it's as if you have nothing to wear at all.

6. You're sore all the time

Practicing four to five days a week, having conditioning and lifting days, with three games on the weekends can definitely take a toll on your body, no matter how in shape you are. It's as if you're body is sore all the time and you've never known a day where you weren't sore.

7. Bus rides

Some people are sleeping, others are eating and then there's the few who are actually watching the movie that's playing. Regardless of what everyone is doing, sometimes the bus rides before and after games are pretty fun, and a great place to make memories.

8. Free weekends

Two words: Turn up.

9. Your teammates are your family

No matter the stress from school work, the hard times during games, the frustrations in practice and the drama of life– your teammates are always there for you. They're your family at school and some friends for life.