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.
I, too, wanted to quit swimming after my freshman year so here's my experience (take it for what you will). I was never a full year round swimmer but I swam boys season in high school and summer season for USS. When I got to college (DII), I really didn't commit to the program and, in fact, travelled home for most weekends. The team even went on a training trip to Florida over Christmas break but, again, I stayed home. My times that year were ok but not as fast as high school. As a sophomore, I decided to focus on trying to be more involved with the team and developed close friendships with a few of the a swimmers. At that time, I could see we were part team and part family. Sophomore and Junior years went pretty well. Nothing spectacular but I was getting back down to my high school times. Then, as a senior, the lazy bug got me again. I wasn't sure I wanted to swim and missed most of the practices for the first month of the season. At that point, the coach told me I either had to quit or get re-focused. I chose to re-focus and I don't think I missed another practice all year. I ended up beating my old high school times and breaking the school record in my primary event, 100 free. Looking back on it, I'm grateful for the choice I made to stick with it.
If I were you, I'd plan on taking a break after the conference meet or whatever season ending meet you have. Get away from the pool and stay away from it for a few months (if you can stand it). Take this time to prepare yourself mentally for the next chapter. Plan on giving it a go for next year. Remember it never gets easier and you don't get a second chance at college. Good Luck.
I, too, wanted to quit swimming after my freshman year so here's my experience (take it for what you will). I was never a full year round swimmer but I swam boys season in high school and summer season for USS. When I got to college (DII), I really didn't commit to the program and, in fact, travelled home for most weekends. The team even went on a training trip to Florida over Christmas break but, again, I stayed home. My times that year were ok but not as fast as high school. As a sophomore, I decided to focus on trying to be more involved with the team and developed close friendships with a few of the a swimmers. At that time, I could see we were part team and part family. Sophomore and Junior years went pretty well. Nothing spectacular but I was getting back down to my high school times. Then, as a senior, the lazy bug got me again. I wasn't sure I wanted to swim and missed most of the practices for the first month of the season. At that point, the coach told me I either had to quit or get re-focused. I chose to re-focus and I don't think I missed another practice all year. I ended up beating my old high school times and breaking the school record in my primary event, 100 free. Looking back on it, I'm grateful for the choice I made to stick with it.
If I were you, I'd plan on taking a break after the conference meet or whatever season ending meet you have. Get away from the pool and stay away from it for a few months (if you can stand it). Take this time to prepare yourself mentally for the next chapter. Plan on giving it a go for next year. Remember it never gets easier and you don't get a second chance at college. Good Luck.
