College sports are for everyone. Whether you’re a quarterback on the football team, joining a lawn game of spike ball on campus, starting your morning with a yoga class, or cheering the volleyball team on, sports are a big part of the American college experience, no matter how you decide to engage. There are lots of reasons for students to get involved, and the benefits can extend far beyond your time in college.
1. Support Physical and Mental Wellbeing
Doing physical activity – walking to class, doing a morning stretch, or hitting the gym – is key to a healthy lifestyle. But it’s also important for cognitive function. Students’ concentration and memory improves if they are staying physically active. Not only that, but exercise is associated with decreased symptoms of anxiety and depression – at an all time high on college campuses. Studies even show that 150 minutes of exercise a week can significantly reduce depression, anxiety and psychological distress.
Pro Tips: Many students feel they don’t have the time for a fitness routine. If that sounds like you, set a small goal – perhaps an hour in the gym over the weekend, or a certain daily step-count. Consistency is key.
2. Make New Friends and Expand Your Circle
Socializing is another important part of a balanced college schedule, and luckily, can be combined with sports! College sports teams, whether competitive or recreational, are a great way to make friends. By spending a lot of time together, overcoming the challenges of sports, and attending organized team social events, you can form a circle of close friends. This benefit can even extend to sitting on the sidelines: if a sports team is not for you, consider joining marching band, or attending sports events as a spectator. It’s a great way to spend time with your classmates!
Pro Tips: Don’t be afraid to try something new – there are many non-competitive opportunities to pursue sports in college. Some colleges even have a Quidditch team for Harry Potter fans!
3. Grow Your Leadership and Teamwork Skills
Sports are a great way to pursue personal growth. Athletes learn and demonstrate hard work, teamwork, leadership, and time management skills that can effectively transfer to extracurricular opportunities, internships, and even jobs after college.
Pro Tips: If you’re an athlete, practice discussing the transferable skills you learn on the field. They can be an important part of your interviews and essays whether you’re applying to college, an internship, or a full time job.
4. Connect With New Opportunities
Sports have a unique ability to bring people together toward a common goal, passion or hardship. Bonds formed through sports can often extend to academic study groups, an internship or job referral, or a career chat.
Pro Tips: Sports are a great way to connect with alumni – mentioning a shared sport or team is an effective way to get a reply.
The Benefits of Sports Go Beyond the Obvious
It can be easy to push sports aside and prioritize academic pursuits in college – but sports are an important part in creating a balanced schedule in college. Incorporating sports in your routine can not only improve your physical and mental wellbeing, but also help you expand your social network and unlock new doors and opportunities, even in your career.
So if you’re debating joining that pickup frisbee game, trying out for a new sport, or even just going for a walk, remember there are good reasons to prioritize it!
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