Sorry this took so long, but I’ve been busy taking finals and packing. Anyways, I recently made a decision that marks a transition of sorts. During my freshman year at Yale, I was a member of Yale Track & Field. Unfortunately, a number of reasons have forced me to reassess my position, ultimately leading to my leaving the team. Basically, it boils down to four reasons: 1) oppressive time commitment 2) loss of passion for the sport 3) contempt for the “sprint track culture” 4) devastating injuries.
In high school, I considered myself a well-rounded student-athlete with interest in both sports and academia. I was the school track star and model student who also provided community service, planned school events, and worked on interesting projects. However, during my freshman year in college, I was blown away by just how much Yale had to offer. Track practice, which meets six times a week and lasts four hours each session, seriously limited my options. I did not have time to explore and join groups or organizations that I was interested in. Track practice even became a drag on my social life. To me, track practice seemed like a waste of time, time that could be better spent elsewhere. Even during practice, much of the time was spent dicking around. I would warm up for 30 minutes, take a few jumps, and then have to wait for everyone else to finish up. In the weight room, it was much of the same. People would lift for a set and then stop to chat. If practice were run more efficiently, it could be concluded within two hours as opposed to the usual four.
As the year progressed, I also lost my passion for the sport. Track was extremely important to me throughout high school. I loved the thrill of competition, the gratifying feeling of self-improvement, and the personal bests that came from hours spent in the weight room and on the track. All this disappeared in college. Maybe it was because there was just so much going on at Yale that I wanted to be free to explore as I pleased. Eventually, track became a duty, an obligation that I was forced to meet day in and day out. I grew to resent track practice. Furthermore, I missed the camaraderie and culture of high school track. It was partly my fault. The fact that I was considering quitting early on in the season made me feel awkward and even guilty around the other athletes. Or maybe I was just too nerdy. On the track team, especially the sprint squad, there is pressure to play it cool, to completely disregard the academic aspect of Yale and instead view college as a delirious cross between track and partying. I guess I won’t ever be cool enough to join in on the conversations that involve “butt-sex or bangin’ bitches.” I do not mean that everyone on the team acts like that. Nor do I condemn the occasional lewd banter that almost all guys partake in. I just find it difficult to fit in with a bunch of people who have completely different outlooks on college and who would freely throw away their opportunity to achieve a level of learning that only Yale can provide.
Lastly, I was by hampered by two devastating injuries, a torn hamstring and severely sprained left ankle. As a horizontal jumper, I require a strong plant foot to explode off the ground into the jump, and consequently the ankle sprain was especially dehibilitating. Instead of taking time off to recover, I foolishly kept practicing and re-aggravated my injuries. In this case, my mother strongly advocated quitting the team for fear of perpetual injury to myself.
Currently, I feel liberated and happy… ecstatic even. I spoke with coach about quitting this past Monday, and his terms with very fair. He suggested that I take some time off to experience life as a regular Yale student, and if I ever happened to miss track, he would keep the door open and allow me to return to the team. Before the meeting, I was pretty adamant about my decision to quit forever. However, I will consider his terms and see how I feel when the time comes. As for now, I am free and ready to enjoy my experience in
6 comments:
"I'd like to talk about a lifechanging decision that I've made today."
That's how you left your first post, leaving the details to this post. Your situation is very similar to mine coming out of high school. I was the track star, soccer star, x-country star and nearly top student. Also played 1st chair trumpet for many years.
College started, and I dropped ALL of it. As you noted, the time commitments would have been insane, and I made a very crude calculation: "If I didn't plan on making a living with sports or music, why continue to invest all that time?"
Enjoyment. Sure, but that was the point. The trade offs were too costly. I would have missed too many other opportunities. I also had to work in order to keep my student loans down (I went to UCLA and go a BA and MA in English Lit.).
After finishing my MA, I decided to work in Korea "for two years," which became almost six. I look back and a few of the guys I played soccer with went on to play in the World Cup, and those pangs of regret sometimes hit. But my fluency in Korean coupled with the truly life-changing experience of integrating with another culture is something that continues to amaze me every day.
All I can say is that you are asking the right questions about time and opportunities. Long-term physical health is also a major factor (I blew out my right leg goofing around on a soccer field, so there went that anyway...).
My guess? China and learning Chinese will absolutely prove to you that there is a lot more going on than track. Kudos to your coach, though, for keeping the door open. most coaches I ever met would have been far too narrow minded to think that way.
Kelly thank you for your comments and kind words. It is very interesting that you went through a similar ordeal, and ultimately you were happy with your decision. Thanks again for your support.
I felt the same about music. I dropped the bassoon since coming to college.
WELL Mr. Bao
I'm glad you think youre going to be happier without track. maybe you'll find other interests. I will say though that i think it's important to have some sort of direction with extracurriculars. My friends aimlessly screwed around for freshman year and they were noticeably happier when they had more concrete goals for sophomore year.
and im gonna hold you to the basketball comment.
kick ass in china.
Mr. Watanabe
You're right I don't want to be a bum either. Currently I have plans with some friends to start up an on-campus business, nature of which I cannot divulge just yet. I'm also working for YUBS and the Yale business sphere. Damn I'm focusing too much on business and finance I think I'll try something out of my comfort zone too. Perhaps acapella?? Lol who am I kidding. We'll see.
I will mangggggggg you too. See you in a few months.
Ah so Gen Bao drops track but picks up the guitar. I always knew you were something of a romantic Adam, good move!
Have fun in China bro. I'll miss you lots.
Simon
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