<p>I've played volleyball since 8th grade and played on varsity last year. I never really did it for college because I am no star player and it's a huge time commitment; I did it for fun. With college applications, a still rigorous courseload, writing a research paper/project report which could be submitted for intel, and depleted energy, I'm not sure whether I can afford the time commitment and if it weren't for college I'd hesitate to play and I don't want to lie on my application. Would quitting before senior year hurt me a significant amount? Should I explain that I'm quitting because I am extremely busy this fall? Would playing club volleyball (out of school) after not playing school volleyball senior mitigate that? Again, I'm no great player, I might not even start. But my mom said it shows a lack of commitment. Is that true?
Any advice? I'm seriously debating whether to play or not and advice would be appreciated.</p>
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No
No, not specifically. Although you could, depending on the prompt, explain what is occupying your time.
Club sports usually require a larger time investment than varsity sports.</p>
<p>@skieurope
Thanks for your advice.
I’ve played club volleyball in the past, and although the total time commitment may be greater, it’s far less concentrated. Generally just 2 practices a week other than a few tournaments, vs daily practices or games for varsity volleyball. Furthermore club volleyball doesn’t start till late November/early December by which time I’d have progressed further on my applications, finished my paper (if I’m going to submit it) and the tournaments don’t really get going till later. I know for me it’s a far more manageable commitment which I’d enjoy just as much, and was wondering if that would help to mitigate not playing varsity for senior year. </p>
<p>College apps will be a huge time suck, no question about it. If you want to play club volleyball, do it because you want to, not because of how it will look on your app or what your mom thinks. Many successful applicants drop their varsity sport for a number of reasons. Don’t overthink it.</p>
<p>@skieurope
Again I said it earlier, I never played for college, it’s just that playing is getting in the way of college. Club volleyball shouldn’t as much and it should be a fun way to enjoy senior year. Since dropping volleyball shouldn’t hurt me much, I guess I’m leaning towards dropping it this season.</p>
<p>@skieurope
Again I said it earlier, I never played for college, it’s just that playing is getting in the way of college. Club volleyball shouldn’t as much and it should be a fun way to enjoy senior year. Since dropping volleyball shouldn’t hurt me much, I guess I’m leaning towards dropping it this season.</p>
<p>My D recently decided not to play this fall, she’s played since 7th grade with a couple of seasons of club (she had to stop club vball for LAX, her primary sport). She was JV vball captain last year, she would make varsity this year but probably not play a lot. For many of the same reasons you are thinking of it, she decided to do it too. It’s a LOT of time as you know - just practices are 12 or so hours per week and when games are going it’s closer to 20. </p>
<p>She decided to use the time to work, double up on math, and do college apps.</p>
<p>I am sad I won’t be going to a bunch of games this fall but I support her decision. She didn’t make it lightly. I do not think it will have a negative impact on her college-wise, she was never planning to play in college other than for fun which she’d still do.</p>
<p>There’s a nugget of wisdom that goes: If you need something done, ask a busy person because they can get it done. To quote someone’s recent blog on the subject</p>
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<p>Is volleyball still fun? That to me is key. </p>
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Don’t drop volleyball because of your concern for time-constraints. You need the fun in your life to balance the stress from your senior year schedule and your college apps – and busy people can get things done. Your senior year of high school can be a blast. It can also be torture if you take all the fun out of it and just work, work work. You may have to spend less time on CC to get everything done, which is actually a good thing!</p>
<p>^ this is a good point. D believes it will not be fun since she is unlikely to get much playing time in our hyper-competitive school. EVERYONE plays year round. She had fun last year by turning down varsity and asking to be placed on JV instead…that’s not an option this year.</p>
<p>Now Lacrosse…just try to pry that stick out of her hands!</p>
<p>I am literally having the same problem
It depends on the type of student-athlete you are if you can balance sports and school go for it.If not, college is more important and you wont have that constant stress of practice and games and trying to finish applications and meeting deadlines</p>