What It’s Like Trying to Get a College Athletic Scholarship.

I started playing soccer my freshman year of high school. I was a little late... who am I kidding? Really late. Most college athletes have been playing their sport since they could walk. I was behind, really behind. I wasn’t even thinking about college till the spring of my sophomore year. I went through a really difficult break up, I know it’s cliche. But anyways, it changed my whole perspective on life.

I finally started thinking about what my future would look like without him. So let me picture it for you. A college athlete living out her dream of playing soccer, non stop studying to become a broadcast journalist. Many internships and study abroad. Sounds great, right? Yet, it’s not that easy. I started working with NCSA,  a college recruiting website. Kind of pricey, depending on your package. But to me, it was worth it.

You see, no one in my family was an athlete or even knew anything about recruiting, and I didn't either. It was constant emails, phone calls, trying to find camps I could afford. It was draining and expensive. Worth it? I’d say so. There were so many times I doubted myself. Was I really good enough to be a college athlete? Could I really do this? The answer was yes. Sometimes I was so overwhelmed and stressed out... I have always been someone who pushes herself to succeed in everything. I am a Varsity Cheerleader, taking soccer and cheer privates, playing on a soccer travel team, taking personal weight training lessons.

I put in the work, even when I didn’t want to. Even if you feel like you’re far behind, you can really get ahead if you put in the effort. The first step is to believe. I am also from a very small school, my graduating class is around 70. Our soccer team is two high schools combined. I have played games with eight people on the field, and you’re supposed to play with eleven! I have played against teams with about 25 players total on the team, and they're constantly making subs. We couldn't do that. I learned to run, to leave my whole heart on that field and give it everything I had. I drive an hour to personal weight training and an hour back. It takes me an hour and thirty minutes to get to practice for my travel soccer team.

I have given up a lot for this sport but I wouldn’t change a thing. When you go on your first college visit and meet the coach, you’ll understand. When a coach looks you in the eye and says, do you want to play here? You have a spot. You’ll finally realize why you did all this. It’s an amazing feeling accomplishing your goals. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.