Hey Everyone, I wanted to get some other swimmers inputs. I am currently a freshman in college and have been swimming year round since I was nine. I lived and breathed swimming all through high school and it was my life. Never did I think that I would quit swimming after my freshman year of college. I know longer love swimming and I can't continue to keep doing it. I will be giving up my scholarship next year AND will be transferring to school closer to home. I guess what I want to know is and I making one of the worst decisions of my life. I don't want to continue to do this but what if I miss it or I am miserable. I have my conference meet in three weeks and want to go out on a bang, just like everyone does when they are giving up something they love to do. My question is how do I get through this last three weeks and enjoy it and go out on a bang and what is your guys opinion on my decision to hang up swimming. I would love any opinions or feedback.
A few thoughts from me as a former collegiate swimmer and current university professor.
-- College swimming has an incredible attrition rate. I think only 3 people (out of about 8) in my class actually made it through the whole 4 years, and I have heard similar things from many others. It is very demanding physically, mentally, emotionally, and it takes a lot of time besides. So if you do quit, you are not alone.
-- Masters swimming will still be there for you regardless of your decision. The majority of masters swimmers did not ever swim in college so you are already ahead of the game. Masters swimming is a blast, it is much less stressful, and you alone dictate the level of your committment. Still, you will likely not ever be as fast as you once were (though it is certainly possible).
-- You mention how frustrated you are that you haven't improved lately. That is hard to deal with, granted, but everyone will plateau eventually. Get used to it. Because after you plateau, would you like to guess what comes next for most people? At some point swimming will have to become more for you then just the end result: the training, the striving, the racing, the cameraderie, etc. It sounds very zen or something, I know, but you have to enjoy the journey as much or more than the destination.
-- This is the parent and educator in me speaking, but the single most important thing to consider is academics. Will the extra time improve your grades? How does the school you are considering compare with the one you are in now? And if quitting swimming means it is significantly less likely (for financial reasons) that you will get your college degree then that is a VERY powerful argument for sticking with it -- indeed, it should be the overriding factor.
I loved college swimming and wouldn't trade it for anything. I never entertained a single thought of quitting. You have had a much tougher road and, barring a significant change in either your approach toward the sport or in the coach/team, that is likely to continue. If it makes your life miserable and seems like it will stay that way, then there is nothing at all shameful about stopping as long as it doesn't negatively impact your academics. You will still be able to train and compete, though likely not ever again at the same level.
I hope that helps. Good luck with a tough decision. (And I also agree with those who say you should wait to make this decision until the off-season. Until then, try to enjoy what may be your last college season.)
Chris
A few thoughts from me as a former collegiate swimmer and current university professor.
-- College swimming has an incredible attrition rate. I think only 3 people (out of about 8) in my class actually made it through the whole 4 years, and I have heard similar things from many others. It is very demanding physically, mentally, emotionally, and it takes a lot of time besides. So if you do quit, you are not alone.
-- Masters swimming will still be there for you regardless of your decision. The majority of masters swimmers did not ever swim in college so you are already ahead of the game. Masters swimming is a blast, it is much less stressful, and you alone dictate the level of your committment. Still, you will likely not ever be as fast as you once were (though it is certainly possible).
-- You mention how frustrated you are that you haven't improved lately. That is hard to deal with, granted, but everyone will plateau eventually. Get used to it. Because after you plateau, would you like to guess what comes next for most people? At some point swimming will have to become more for you then just the end result: the training, the striving, the racing, the cameraderie, etc. It sounds very zen or something, I know, but you have to enjoy the journey as much or more than the destination.
-- This is the parent and educator in me speaking, but the single most important thing to consider is academics. Will the extra time improve your grades? How does the school you are considering compare with the one you are in now? And if quitting swimming means it is significantly less likely (for financial reasons) that you will get your college degree then that is a VERY powerful argument for sticking with it -- indeed, it should be the overriding factor.
I loved college swimming and wouldn't trade it for anything. I never entertained a single thought of quitting. You have had a much tougher road and, barring a significant change in either your approach toward the sport or in the coach/team, that is likely to continue. If it makes your life miserable and seems like it will stay that way, then there is nothing at all shameful about stopping as long as it doesn't negatively impact your academics. You will still be able to train and compete, though likely not ever again at the same level.
I hope that helps. Good luck with a tough decision. (And I also agree with those who say you should wait to make this decision until the off-season. Until then, try to enjoy what may be your last college season.)
Chris
