Challenges and Experiences at College

I’ll admit college has been a bigger challenge than I expected. As a dual athlete I wish students spoke more about the challenges of being an athlete. It would’ve been helpful if they spoke about the work load, or how to organize yourself, manage your time, and or study. I also hoped Professors would’ve shown how to use certain applications or books. Honestly I’m someone who could work better on all these aspects. I feel if this was vocalized I could’ve bettered prepared. With all my struggles I find myself to be struggling with my mental health. I know many times I bite off more than I can chew because I enjoy participating in my interests. Though it’s a hefty task I’m really determined to continue in participating in them and becoming a successful student. If you know me I don’t like quitting and I always want to prove I can.

Participating in two sports has taken more time than I ever imagined. I’ve known students who have done so, but it was never brought to my attention how challenging it could be. I find myself waking up 5-6 am for a practice or lift, or running to my workout after class, and sometimes even spending my nights at a team meeting. Most days I’m having at least practice and a workout, or a lift. This has left me fatigued and tired, especially when waking around campus. Along with this it leaves very little time for school work. Speaking with my success coach he brought to my attention if I thought about continuing to do this for the next 4 years. Honestly I already felt I can’t do this even right now. Though today I heard my coach talk about how we allow ourselves to complain and make excuses instead of looking at what we have right in front of us. This helped me motivate myself to continue even through the burn out, because like he said “You’re in Naperville! You get to wrestle with the #1 team in the country! How great is that!” And yeah that true, I live in this lovely town, learning and working with the best, so I need to learn to be grateful and want to do my best.

Moving on to classes, I have 4 class, 2 a day, which would require at least 3 hours of homework or studying a day. Admittedly I do not really have that time, and if I do it’s late at night, probably having me stay up past midnight. I have ADHD, this causes me to become easily distracted, impatient, and take longer amounts of time to complete work. I believe if I work with someone through each and every assignment this could be reduced, or at least have more efficient work done. I went through highschool not studying at all really, that being because I never really knew how. I believe if I had the assistance of learning to study I’d become a student over all. Though many times when I try to go to my Professors office I cannot because I have class or practice. I think I have to be open with my coaches even though it scares me and sometimes ask “Can I miss practice to go to my Professors office hours”. I honestly fear rejection, but I believe they know I’m a student first and they have to respect that. So even though it’s out of my comfort zone I need to push myself to do so.

Lastly the amount of time I spend on my sports and school has left me little to no time for myself. A lot of times I need to rush to get some lunch or breakfast, or I forget to get dinner before kman closed because I was so busy with my homework. Not to mention I spend my nights doing homework for hours, because honestly I fell behind and or I forgot to check to see what’s due and I’m turning homework in late. I just become more and more behind, and I just feel even more tired, burn out, and just depressed. I’ll be open and admitted I’ve gone to therapy for years, earlier in the year I stopped because I was genuinely doing fine and didn’t need it anymore. Though since then I have gone through some major life changes, and I need help processing and managing that. I love to talk and I think a therapist is the perfect listener.  Having the perspective and advice of a professional would probably be the greatest help for me right now. I know what I need is some encouragement and guidance.

I know I’ve ranted a lot about the challenges of college, but I’m genuinely grateful to have these opportunities. I want to make the most of it, for me, my parents, family, and supporters. I want to become the first in my family to earn a Masters. I want to show someone can manage several things at a time even if it’s challenging. I want to prove someone who’s Mexican or has ADHD can be just as successful as anyone else. I believe once I get help and on the right track, I’ll be able to show the best possible me. Because what’s a challenge without adversity.