<p>There is a longer story behind this so I will try to summarize this as best as I can.</p>
<p>I have a spot on my swim team at the college I will be attending next month, it is division 1 and quite competitive. I'm torn between swimming and not swimming. I've contemplated all the pros and cons but can't make a decision and would like some input. First off, however, I am not on an athletic scholarship so I am not obligated to swim, although I do have a place on the team.</p>
<p>I've swam most of my life and loved it until recently where I have began to lack the drive needed to train and am now detesting extreme workouts. I will have absolutely no motivation to get up and do morning practices (~6 AM, and I hate being tired all the time) every day and feel I will be overwhelmed balancing my academic goals, social needs, and being a full time athlete. Swimming is VERY time intensive and takes a good toll on energy levels (5+ hours per day) and my major is demanding (I think, biochem). I don't want to be obligated to that schedule and have to plan things AROUND swimming.</p>
<p>Some positives are upholding parental expectations (they want me to swim but I haven't talked to them about the possibility of not doing it yet), instantly having a a group of people I can befriend and do things with, the prestige of being an athlete (priority registration, free clothes....), the sense of accomplishment if I achieve, and staying in very good shape. </p>
<p>I feel like if I do swim I may be doing it for the wrong reasons and that I lack the drive and talent to really become something (which I accept, I have other goals in life) and I know I will have to pull strings to balance pre-med biochemistry and a sport as well. I always don't want to be to restricted socially, I love getting out there and having a good time. </p>
<p>I just really need some advice here because I have completely deadlocked.</p>
<p>Personally, I wouldn’t bother. Unless I’m getting paid to do a sport (via scholarship), I see no purpose of doing it competitively. It’s going to take away from the time you should be spending studying or whatever. Rec centers usually have pools, so if you feel the need to swim you can always get it out there.</p>
<p>I played a varsity sport in college (ice hockey). My best terms, gradewise, were when I was playing. I was in a top engineering school, in the engineering program, so I couldn’t be slacking in my classes. In season, I had to organize my time. I was tired, but that was better than having all this extra energy and not being able to sit still to study. I enjoyed being around my teammates and doing things as a team.</p>
<p>That said, I was in a division 3 school. I believe the practice times are limited by NCAA rule (I could be wrong on this), the road trips were always local and never overnight. So, the time commitment wasn’t the same as a D1 school. Also, no scholarships in D3, so it just for my enjoyment.</p>
<p>You have a tough decision. I would try it. But if you are thinking of quiting, I would talk to the coach. I’m sure you’re not the first person to have to make that decision and he/she may have some good advice.</p>
<p>I was a HS swimmer, and I was always the short skinny kid my entire life. I was pushed to go into academics–I’ve excelled at that but I’ve always wanted to compete. There’s nothing that can replace the super hard workouts, the teammates, competitions, and the feeling when you leave the pool! My view is skewed, but keep in mind that not everyone has the opportunity to compete and take advantage of being a college athlete. You seem to be loosing the motivation right now.</p>
<p>I would recommend doing intramural (if offered) if you really aren’t sure about it. Would it be possible to skip out first year and assuming you regain motivation, join the team your 2nd year? </p>
<p>Why not try it? If you don’t like it, then quit the team–since you aren’t under scholarship I don’t think you are obligated to keep a full year of commitment. </p>
<p>What do you wanna do after college? If you’re looking at grad schools then I would suggest skipping out on the team and getting serious at school. </p>
<p>Hey go7sunshine, I did end up trying swimming to leave that option on the table, but within a week I knew that it wasn’t for me so I decided to quit. I’m now in several clubs, I’m rushing a fraternity, and I have tons of friends that I would have otherwise not had. It was a hard decision but I’m glad that I made it and I have never been happier. I’m living life to it’s fullest how I want to live it.</p>
<p>My advice to you if you have regrets is to try it out, you aren’t obligated to stay on the team under any circumstances! It might be for you, or like me you may find your happiness elsewhere. If you already feel like you don’t want to play a sport than by all means don’t! You will be happier on your own terms. It’s basically like having a full time job, and that job for me was to swim.</p>