My name is Brooke Swadley, I am a freshman softball player here at Missouri Southern State University. I grew up in Purdy, Missouri. Although I have been playing softball since I was five years old, in both high school and ASA competitive softball, I must say college is very different than both. I had to adjust to new teammates, new coaches, new peers in the classroom, and time management. The transition from high school to college has been a very smooth process for me. Everyone on our team is very easy to get along with.
Coming into college, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The practices are long and hard, but organized and challenging. I can feel myself getting better every single day. The best difference between college and high school is that every day at practice everyone wants to be there, we all have the love for the game and to me that is the most important key to having a winning team.
The overall classroom setting is very different than what I was used to in high school. The classroom size is not much larger, but the attitude and main goals of the teachers are very different. I have learned that professors want you there and they care about how you do in their class, but if you don’t show up to their class that is your own fault. It doesn’t matter to them one way or the other.
Lastly, I had to learn better time management skills. Being a student athlete can be very challenging at times. Softball consumes most of our time and outside of that we have homework, so I have to be wise when I am choosing when to hang out with friends. I have already gotten better at time management since I’ve gotten here.
In conclusion, I have very much so enjoyed the process of becoming a freshman in college after being a senior in high school. I really enjoy it here, and I have high hopes for our softball team this year!
