have been swimming year round since I was eight years old. I am now going to be a sophmore in college. I have lived and breathed swimming since I first started. My life revolved around swimming and only that. Through high school I gave up hanging with friends to go to swim practice. I never really was a great swimmer even though I worked super hard to be succesful. I did swim one year in college. I am completely burnt out and cant stand to go to swim meets and not be able to swim the times I did when I was 13-15. now 20. It kills me and after my freshman year and this summer I have made the decision to call it quits because I 'cant put my self through all this hard work to not see results and swimming just dosent make me happy. Am i making a huge mistake and what happens say a year from now when i miss swimming greatly? will it all be ok then? I was so sure on my decision but when other people dont support me like coaches and parents etc its hard. I just need some advice or encougagement!
thanks!
College is an appropriate time to reevaluate expectations, and to try new things. Many people end up in similar situations, especially musicians, who have practiced and been local favorites all their lives and suddenly understand what the real competition is. Other examples abound. And they quietly move what has been #1 to the #3 place. Sure, you'll miss swimming, but you will gain in other ways. Coaches and parents may be less against the decision than against how you present it to them. That is, they may see you as someone youngish who is just expostulating and will be back in the pool tomorrow. A good way to conduct the conversation is to move smoothly past the decision to the rest of the plan: "That way I'll be able to work on Italian more and prepare for a semester of study abroad" (or whatever).
If you like water, water skills are useful in a number of careers: parks and recreation, national forests, marine biology, and so forth. I second the recommendation to stay in touch in some fashion, lifeguarding or teaching at summer camps.
People also reach plateaus, and sometimes time off or a change of coach is beneficial. It sounds as though you are ready to move on, but only you can be sure.
Good luck with a tough decision!
College is an appropriate time to reevaluate expectations, and to try new things. Many people end up in similar situations, especially musicians, who have practiced and been local favorites all their lives and suddenly understand what the real competition is. Other examples abound. And they quietly move what has been #1 to the #3 place. Sure, you'll miss swimming, but you will gain in other ways. Coaches and parents may be less against the decision than against how you present it to them. That is, they may see you as someone youngish who is just expostulating and will be back in the pool tomorrow. A good way to conduct the conversation is to move smoothly past the decision to the rest of the plan: "That way I'll be able to work on Italian more and prepare for a semester of study abroad" (or whatever).
If you like water, water skills are useful in a number of careers: parks and recreation, national forests, marine biology, and so forth. I second the recommendation to stay in touch in some fashion, lifeguarding or teaching at summer camps.
People also reach plateaus, and sometimes time off or a change of coach is beneficial. It sounds as though you are ready to move on, but only you can be sure.
Good luck with a tough decision!
