If you asked me at 4:00 in the morning as I'm getting up for practice if I enjoy playing a college sport, I probably wouldn't even have the brain function to answer your question. If you asked me after the sixth round of a "Lucky Triple Sevens" workout (also known as hell on earth) if I enjoy being a college athlete, you would get a tearful, "Why did I think this was a good idea?" However, as I am about to enter my final season and as I look back on the last three years, I would not trade a single second of playing a college sport for anything.

Deciding to play college lacrosse was the best decision I ever made (second only to deciding to come to Huntingdon.) I played lacrosse my entire life and felt I couldn't pass up the chance to play in college. Little did I know at the time of that decision the impact college sports has on one's life: the friends you make, the memories you carry and the experiences you have are priceless. But above all else, the lessons you learn from being a student athlete, you carry with you forever (Trust me on the "forever" part; I'm the descendant of two student athletes!) Playing a collegiate sport taught me more valuable life lessons in four short years than all the schooling in the world ever could.

I learned how to push through the hard times, because coming out on the other side is worth it. Anyone who tells you they enjoy conditioning practices before the sun is up or 12 hour bus rides to play weekend games in North Carolina is a liar. But everyone loves the feeling of winning games and accomplishing goals. Just knowing that what is on the other end of hard work and hardships is a precious lesson you can apply throughout life. I learned that being on a team is like being a part of a big family, and I learned how to work with it. As much as I love my sorority sisters, nothing comes before the wack jobs I call my lacrosse sisters (Kappa Kappa Lax for life!) I learned that collegiate sports is a great motivator for working out; you're practically forced into it. I also learned that forced workouts mean I can carb load like no one's business. I learned how to learn and how to be coachable. I know now I haven't learned everything I can. I also know now how to take constructive criticism and use it to better myself. Not to mention that one day, I won't be capable of participating in organized sports like I do now. Either there won't be a formalized structure to participate in, or my body just won't be able to take it.

By being a college athlete, you become a part of something bigger than just yourself. While in the moment I may wonder how much easier life would be being just a student, I could never regret my decision. Deciding to play a sport in college was the best decision I ever made.