The Life Of A College Athlete

By Kylie Exline on March 7, 2016

We all are aware of the college athletes on campus: they are 99 percent of the time super fit, have the school emblem backpack (make that their entire wardrobe), and of course know at least 6.3 people everywhere they go.

We may believe we know what it is like, but let’s be real here, we only know what we think we know. It is more than simply running a ball on a field, or jumping over hurdles on a track. It is about their undeniable dedication, as well as their uncanny way of attempting to make time for everything.

Basically, only the best of the best can do it, and well at that. To put yourself into their busy lifestyle, read below.

Your life is school and work(ing out):

Like any student, your daily routine consists of studying, eating, sleeping, and did I mention stuDYING? Add being an active person on top of that and you are putting up mad hours. Hours you are not getting paid for might I add. Because then we are entering illegal territory and that just does not sound like a fun time.

You rush home from class just to rush off to practice. Yeah, working out can be fun at times, but not when you are practically being forced to every day. As students, we all have those days where we do not feel like doing anything. In this situation, that is not a choice. School and work simply coincide. The balancing act is in full effect, people.

(For more of an insight, visit this article describing your new reality.)

Image via Pexels.com

Everyone thinks you’re already famous:

We see them around campus repping their jersey number and high-fiving fellow teammates. Random girls insist on pictures for Snapchat, while guys act out that weird/cool universal handshake they all somehow know. We know their stats and automatically think we are the best of buds. Hello college sports.

On the other side of things however, not every athlete intends on being that guy. You know, the one that assumes they will be making millions one day, and expects all of the females to follow their shadow. Girls: do not follow their shadow. Some prefer to be laid back and simply enjoy playing for a game they love, believe it or not.

Do not treat them any differently, even though they were the receiver that ran for the winning touchdown with 0.7 left on the clock in overtime against the newest Heisman winner. Like I said, no big deal.

Image via Pexels.com

Being unhealthy is not a thing:

We all know about that partying life. The one where going out four nights out of the week and downing three shots back to back ain’t no thing. That life is intended for those that are not athletes, and also those that should maybe get their priorities in order … maybe?

We go to parties, drink beer while eating an entire pizza to ourselves, and skip leg day because why else, we are hungover. Acting out an extremely unhealthy lifestyle is not in the cards for these athletes. They have to be fit in order to be their best. They also have to be more athletic than our rivals just to make sure we stay on top. It really is for the best.

Pressure of going pro:

We all assume that college athletes have dreamed about being No. 1 overall for the draft since they were two, and feel that it is their destiny to play for their favorite childhood team. Once again, those are our thoughts.

Most of these guys could care less about making it pro given they do it for fun and appreciation. For fun, unknown facts, visit this site.

Every day they have to worry about their actions, behavior on and off the field, as well as their grades affecting their athletic life. Plus, many have to maintain a certain GPA in order to keep their scholarship. Lose that, and it will be anything but a grand ole time.

Being in college can be difficult for obvious reasons: school load, work (if you have time for it), internships (also if time permits), and of course being an athlete. There are various people who think they know you, want to either date you or say they have “hooked up” with you multiple times in the past, and insist on being your friend, like you don’t already have enough as it is.

It can be tough having to consistently decline a night out on the town because you have practice at 8 a.m., or regretfully pass on an amazing opportunity of free loaded fries, but it definitely is worth it (no sarcasm intended). You are totally in shape, fully dedicated, and know a thing or two about discipline.

Plus, you practically rule the school unintentionally. You got this.

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