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.
Former Member
Like Lance said in his "Dogeball" cameo:
"If you don't quit now, I guess you won't have something to regret for the rest of your life."
Seriously though, anything worthwhile is difficult. I wish you luck in your decision. I know I regretted my decision to join the Marines and skip a scholarship opportunity to play hockey with a DI college every single day until I was about 30 years old.
Did I read a complaint about your 80 year old coach? I would like to here his complaint about your team. I have known some older coaches who put to shame a lot of the younger coaches.
Let's not blame the coach for your hate of swimming. It seems you are burnt out and have to be motivated again. This is where self motivation comes in. No one else can do this for you. Not even the best coach in the world.
Freshman year is hard. Being a competitive athlete at the same time makes it more complex. Choosing a college as a senior in high school is difficult because you make your choice without really understanding what you want from your college experience.
What is not clear from your post is whether you like the school you are at but don't like the swimming program, or whether you just don't like the school period.
If it's just the swimming, could you find a coach outside the program to give you some advice? I have been a competitive athlete (in a different sport) for many years and when I've plateaued, sometimes getting a different perspective has helped me improve.
If it's the college, have you spoken to your dean? or found a counselor on campus? Most colleges have people you can go to who can help you with your transition into college life. You may not be at the right place, but since you will have to give up a lot to transfer, it's worth exploring your options further.
Good luck!
Liz plateauing can take time for the next jump up. I am happy about you mentioning this. When you reach a plateau it can be discouraging for sure. When you plateau it sometimes ends up as a backslide then all of a sudden you are moving ahead again. Plateaus sometimes seem to take for ever.
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.
Swimnstar11, your dilemma has clearly hit a nerve with this audience. Many of us were in your shoes at one point. Some retired from their sport, some stuck with it, some were happy with their decision, and some regretted theirs. But I'll bet the one thing that the hundreds of people that have viewed this thread have in common is that we are all wish you the best of luck! Please do let us know how the big meet goes, and the final decision that you make.
