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!
Parents
Former Member
Being burnt out is no fun. Lots of us experienced it at one time or another, and we all struggled with the decision to hang in there or walk away, because swimming was SUCH as big part tof our lives.......
Is taking it a little easier in practice, maybe focusing on the social aspect of the team an option for you? You didn't tell us if this is a Div 1, 2, or 3 school, if you are on scholarship, etc. If you would be a welcome member of the team without killing yourself in practice, this might be an option for you. And you should definitely be able to be candid with the coach about feeling burnt out. If the main objective of the coach is to provide a healthy and positive college experience for the team, he or she might be happy to work out a deal with you that would alter that same old routine. But, if you are on scholarship and the coach is thinking about the next big championship, then taking a semi-break really isn't an option. You either need to be on board, doing what you can to perform at your best, or not. But, maybe a candid discussion about your feelings is still in order. If you are on scholarship, your coach probably doesn't want to lose you. And if you were to quit next week, he or she might be down one scholarship athlete because it's too late to award your scholarship to someone else. A good coach will help you make the best decision for you, and rediscover your love for swimming if your decision is to stick with it for at least one more season.
Good luck!
Being burnt out is no fun. Lots of us experienced it at one time or another, and we all struggled with the decision to hang in there or walk away, because swimming was SUCH as big part tof our lives.......
Is taking it a little easier in practice, maybe focusing on the social aspect of the team an option for you? You didn't tell us if this is a Div 1, 2, or 3 school, if you are on scholarship, etc. If you would be a welcome member of the team without killing yourself in practice, this might be an option for you. And you should definitely be able to be candid with the coach about feeling burnt out. If the main objective of the coach is to provide a healthy and positive college experience for the team, he or she might be happy to work out a deal with you that would alter that same old routine. But, if you are on scholarship and the coach is thinking about the next big championship, then taking a semi-break really isn't an option. You either need to be on board, doing what you can to perform at your best, or not. But, maybe a candid discussion about your feelings is still in order. If you are on scholarship, your coach probably doesn't want to lose you. And if you were to quit next week, he or she might be down one scholarship athlete because it's too late to award your scholarship to someone else. A good coach will help you make the best decision for you, and rediscover your love for swimming if your decision is to stick with it for at least one more season.
Good luck!
