Participating in high school athletics, let alone a rowing team, can be very challenging. It requires an immense amount of focus, commitment, and dedication. While many high school rowing teams have the luxury of practicing on flat, beautiful water every day, New York City crew teams must settle for the most unpredictable waters of all: the Harlem River. Paired with strong winds, a fast current, and choppy, polluted water, I have learned so much from rowing in the heart of NYC as a high school athlete, and it is an experience I will never forget.

1. You become gritty

You need to learn to be ready to take on any challenge that awaits you- whether it be having to row in windy conditions, in the rain when its 45 degrees outside, or waiting 20 minutes while starving, sore, and stressed because the 1 train is delayed after practice and you're already getting home late as it is.

2. People will automatically think you are a incredibly driven individual

Yay! Rowers' reputations are automatically boosted from this because rowing is such an intense sport, requiring a huge time commitment. But c'mon- we are still only high school students. So yeah- we may be a bit more focused/ have better time management than the average teenager, but who says we don't procrastinate at all..?

3. If you can put your mind to something, you can do it.

So yeah- you may feel like sh*t when you're in the middle of an hour long erg piece, but the feeling of confidence embodies you once you're done, knowing that you worked hard and achieved your goal for the workout. This kind of mindset can be applied to general schoolwork and test prep. We are all dreading the 3+ hours of studying, SAT/ACT prep, and homework a night, but once we are able to just plow through it all, a rewarding feeling awaits!

4. You realize how confused people get over such a simple concept:

No, we do not row on the lake in Central Park, or down the Hudson River. It's the **Harlem** river everyone. And no- we most certainly do not row in swimsuits.

And finally...

5. Having a jam-packed schedule is really a blessing in disguise

It may be hard to realize on the day-to-day basis, but having something to occupy your time with after school, especially exercising, allows for some stress relief. Also, participating in such a team-driven sport makes rowing become a bit more of a social activity rather than an "obligation" or "another task" to do, and helps to break up the day.