The biggest difference that between college life and being at home is the amount of opportunities you have to make a bad decision haha.  You are surrounded only by your peers. There aren't any parental figures making sure you are doing what you need to do.  It is 100% up to you if you want to stay in on Wednesday night and finish those math problems that are due Thursday morning or go to the Toga Party hosted by Sigma Chi.

     In terms of training, there is no comparison.  The level of expectation is on a whole new level, even at the Division III level.  The practices and workouts are very intense and the players have absolutely no say in what get worked on that day.  Our new assistant coach was the graduate assistant at Duke for the past couple of years, so he has brought a lot of their practice routines and fitness workouts to W&L.

 

It is really hard for me to single anything out as the one thing that I have enjoyed the most so far, so I will go over some of my favorites.  The food here is unbelievable. Our food court is open everyday from 8-11 and I can go in as many times as I want.  In addition to a first class gym that is available to the student body, there is a special "athletes only" compound under the football stadium that houses the lockers for every sport and the training room.  The training room is a luxury that I am sure I will miss once it comes time for me to leave.  They are open almost all day and offer anything you could possibly need.  Whether it's an ice bath after a tough workout, a massage, or just someone to help stretch you out.  Finally, I really like the dorm system. In each dorm building there are several floors.  The rooms on each individual floor are grouped into "halls."  Each hall has a Resident Advisor, or RA.  RA's are upperclassmen who make sure the kids belonging to their hall are not having any trouble or are in need of any sort of help.  RA's also organize group events with the members of their hall, such as football games against another hall or just a simple group dinner in D-Hall.  You become very close with the members of your hall and it is very common for them to be some of your closest friends throughout your college years and into the real world.  My hall mates are awesome and we have all become fast friends.

I would have to say that I feel like I was very well prepared for my time here, but if I could give my past self one piece of advice it would be to appreciate the small luxuries that I had come to see as commonplace.  Being able to suggest things in practice, having only one roommate on tournament trips (we go four to a room when we travel), and just having someone there to take care of you.  It can get exhausting having to do everything yourself, but there is a small thrill that goes along with it. No matter what level of responsibility or independence you feel like you have at home it just doesn't compare to what you have to do in college.  One piece of advice that I would give to all of the current high schoolers, is to make sure you know what you want to get out of your college experience, or at least start thinking about it.  How hard are you willing to study? What level of athletic success are you looking for? Not everybody is looking for the same thing or is willing to put in the same amount of work.  Find the place that fits YOU, because if you don't you won't enjoy your time there, no matter where it is.

     That's all I have for now, I'll keep working hard update you as often as I can. As much as I love it here, it is starting to get cold so it'll be nice to get back to Austin and visit everyone.

Hope all is well,
Taylor