Things I’ve realized in life after leaving the student-athlete world.... https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✌🏼" title="Siegeshand (mittelheller Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Siegeshand (mittelheller Hautton)">

(I apologize in advance if this seems dramatic and long winded)

A thread... https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇🏼" title="Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten (mittelheller Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten (mittelheller Hautton)">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇🏼" title="Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten (mittelheller Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten (mittelheller Hautton)">

1. No one in the general population really cares nor will fully be able to grasp the concept of being a student-athlete and everything it actually entails. They’ll respond, “oh very cool.” And probably won’t even give it another thought.

2. Being an athlete is a privilege and a unique opportunity. So don’t waste it.

3. Embrace being a student. Be open minded, curious, and willing to learn in all aspects of your life.

4. Like you’ve probably learned in your sport, there is always room for improvement.

5. Be respectful to everyone. Even if they’re your “opponent”.

6. Finally, ask yourself: when removing “athlete” from your identity, will you still be happy with who you are as a person, the people and relationships you surround yourself with, and will the tools you’ve obtained from your experiences help you succeed in life?

7. (If it wasn’t obvious, the answers should’ve all been “yes” to the questions above.) https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🙃" title="Auf den Kopf gestelltes Gesicht" aria-label="Emoji: Auf den Kopf gestelltes Gesicht"> (imo)

If you actually read through this thread, that’s awesome. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😅" title="Lächelndes Gesicht mit offenem Mund und Angstschweiß" aria-label="Emoji: Lächelndes Gesicht mit offenem Mund und Angstschweiß"> And if you’ve also had time to reflect on your own experiences, please share them!!