Having a concussion is hard. The effects can last weeks to months after the initial concussion has gone away. Sometimes, the effects of a concussion never go away and cause permanent damage. Getting one concussion can be a difficult situation, but getting five in your life like I have, however, it's a miracle that I'm still functioning.

Yes, I've had five concussions in the span of four years. Three were minor concussions and two were major concussions. I'll admit that I have joked many times about the fact that I've had this many concussions, and many other people have joked about it too, because it's hard to believe that I have had that many hits to the head and haven't gotten serious brain damage. Some might say I need a helmet! Plus, some of the concussions I have gotten were for the most weirdest or stupid things ever. But after realizing that getting a concussion really affects your performance in things, a concussion isn't a laughing matter.

I got my first concussion in my freshman year of high school while playing on the soccer team. I was playing defense in a game when all of a sudden the ball came up into the air, and without thinking, I headed the ball any way I could. The ball was harder than it should've been and the way I hit the ball to the head was enough to give me a concussion. I thought I was fine for a few minutes, then all of a sudden I was very dizzy and seeing stars and was taken out of the game. Sometimes a concussion won't be obvious at first, but it's important to get your head checked out as soon as possible, regardless of whether it seems like nothing. I was out of soccer for almost two weeks, and still had to take it easy even after I was cleared to go back in.

I won't explain how I got all my concussions, however, let it be known that once you've had one concussion, you're more sensitive and likely to get another one, even if you hit it very slightly. Some people don't seem to understand this, but it is very important to know. That's what happened to me quite a few times, and the reason why I've had so many concussions. I even had a minor concussion on my high school graduation day (think of how fun that must've been)! Since my brain had already been suffering from the previous concussion, a little hit to the head by mistake can re-trigger a concussion. That's why protecting your head can be very important!

One of the most stupid ways I got a concussion was somewhat recently, during the first couple of weeks of college for me. I was hanging out with all my friends in a lounge area, sitting on a couch playing a card game. I got very excited when I found out that I was winning and jumped back on the couch, not knowing how close the couch was to the wall behind us, and I hit my head on the concrete wall, thus causing another concussion. I was out of classes for a week and it really affected my performance in some of my classes. I was behind and had to catch up, all while my head was still in pain.

Some people might think it's great to be out of class for a week, but it's not fun at all. You're on brain rest, so you're practically sleeping all day in a dark room, with very limited activity. You miss your friends, your computer, TV, cell phone, and yes, you even actually miss being in class. It's awkward when you have to wear sunglasses indoors and everyone stares at you thinking you're a weirdo but you're really wearing them because you're sensitive to light, you can't go out and have fun with your friends, and it's pretty darn boring. But you have to do all this to hopefully get a speedy recovery, and the less you do, the better.

This past concussion that I got left more long term effects than I thought. Suddenly I had a hard time focusing in class, I had headaches every day, all I wanted to do was sleep no matter how much sleep I had already gotten, and my emotions would get messed up. I still live with these effects every day. Although my effects come and go, it has made me realize how dangerous a concussion can be. I could've hit my head in such a way that it actually killed me. I may have some health effects that might not ever go away, but I'm still alive and working hard in school (even harder than I had to before).

People don't always think that a concussion can affect you for so long, but it really can. I only hope that more people will understand what people who have had concussions have to go through, and be more careful than I have been. If you or someone you know has had a head trauma, the best thing to do is to see a doctor, even if it doesn't appear serious. Concussions have their own way of presenting future problems and knowing if you have had one can give a person the power of information as to what to look out for. If you've hit your head and it seems like it is serious, don't wait... get the help you need!