What incoming student-athletes can expect during their first year at USD

Just last week I finished my last swimming practice as a freshman athlete at USD. My first year was everything and nothing like I expected.

Before I came to USD, I was excited to be a part of such a talented and hardworking team, but I was also terrified of the unknown. I was scared for how hard practices would be and if I would be able to keep up.

It turns out I had every right to be scared, because practices were hard. I’ve never pushed my body as far as I did this year. But here’s the thing: I survived.

Despite what upperclassmen told me to try and sike me out, I not only kept up, but I even won a fair share of events this year.

Once I had the mindset of knowing practices were going to be hard and knowing that everything I was doing was going to make me better, I began to fit in with the team and my anxiety subsided.

While it seems simple enough to have a postive mindset going in, this is so much easier said than done. Knowing that practices will last four or more hours a day and that most weekends will be taken up by competition can definitely be a little intimidating.

The anxiety and questions freshman athletes have going in to their first year can be overwhelming. The best piece of advice I can give is that it won’t take long to get the hang of things.

While pracices are hard and feeling tired is an everyday struggle, your body will become accustomed to the new schedule.

Despite how much time and energy a sport takes, there’s no better way to be a college student. Right away, you’re blessed with a group of  friends you’re likely to have your entire life.

You’ll be in the best shape of your life while participating in one of the most rewarding experiences, competing in college.

You get free USD gear, but that’s not even the best part about being an athlete.

You get to represent an amazing school and compete in a sport you love with friends that will last a lifetime.

So don’t sweat it. Being a freshman althete is hard, but it will all be worth it in the end.