There are so many external struggles people don’t often talk about when it comes to being a student athlete. Managing relationships on its own is already complicated. Building and maintaining healthy connections takes time, effort, and a lot of emotional energy. When you add the pressure of college athletics into the mix, it becomes even harder to balance everything.
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned as a college athlete is just how important it is to find a strong, supportive group of friends. People you can go through college with, share the ups and downs with, and lean on during the tough times. That’s important for any college student, but for athletes, who carry the weight of practice schedules, competition stress, and academic expectations. That support system can make all the difference.
When I first committed to the University of Northern Colorado for track, I was nervous about leaving behind my high school friends and starting over in a new place. A year later, I can honestly say that the friendships I’ve formed through sports have become one of the best parts of my college experience. I was lucky enough to be paired with a roommate who also competes in jumps, so we ended up spending nearly every part of our days together. We got through the brutal summer training sessions, powered through unpredictable dining hall meals, studied side by side, and supported each other through it all. I truly believe that if I hadn’t been placed in a room with a teammate, my entire college experience would have felt completely different.
In that same space, my two closest friends are also on the track team. We share similar schedules, so making plans is easier, and we don’t deal with the extra drama that can sometimes come from mismatched priorities or time conflicts. That being said, I’m not suggesting all of your college friends should be your teammates. I believe it’s important to build connections in every area of your life. But there is something special about the bond you create with the people who truly understand the grind you go through every day. Those connections, formed through shared challenges and deep mutual understanding, are nearly impossible to replicate outside of this stage of life.
My friends didn’t just help me survive the demanding lifestyle of being a student athlete, they helped me become a better version of myself. Having people who get it, who are there beside you during early morning practices, late night lifts, and mentally draining days, builds a level of support that runs deep. It made the hard days manageable and the good ones even more meaningful. Being able to laugh through the chaos, vent when things get tough, and celebrate the small victories with people who are right there in it with you is a gift I’ll always hold close.
The Unspoken Athlete 