For starters, the overall game and practice play is a lot more of a high tensity level. There are many athletes that can feel a deeper level of nerves but there are also many who truly level up and accept the competitiveness as a challenge. As both choices are common, choosing to grasp the challenge and allow yourself to propel in the uncomfortable foreign feelings you’re having will be a huge game changer for you overall.
Similarly, both levels have daily practice times and weekly games you’ll compete in. If you thrive off of routine, I would greatly encourage you to gain leverage off of remembering the areas that are the same. One thing that is also important to see is that the college routine of academics is also very different from that of the high school schedule. As there may be many days you will be going straight from class to your practice, there will also be ample amounts of days that you’ll have free-time to rest before cruising on to the court. This diversity of structure can be very helpful in the important rest times your body and mind need.
What the schedule really comes down to is the specific division you will be joining in on as well. There are times as a college athlete where it can feel like you have two full-time jobs. From going to classes, working on all of your homework all the way to having anywhere from 40-70 hours of court time. Do not let this packed schedule overwhelm you, just embrace it and move forward.
Now, if you are the type of person that gains a passion of fire off of being challenged and seeking to learn from all the unknown, the transition process from the high school to college level athlete will initially feel a bit smoother. Again, both types of people are normal and common. I would say it is just important to figure out which one you are so that you can figure out what areas of growth you will be able to leverage on for full success.
One of my favorite parts of moving on to the college level, besides the extreme growth athletically, is that your team truly becomes your family. Of course, it is important to branch out at times to gather friends from other areas of life but when you are on a college team you spend hundreds of hours with your teammates. From daily practices, weekly games to many miles acquired on travel games you will be sure to see your team as family. Overall, moving forward in joining a college level team for your sport is such a great choice and amidst any hard times you have, the good will always out weigh the tough!
