By Kristen DeCosta

After a summer away from gymnastics working as an intern, I have been able to see athletics in a new light. I have one more year, and I am determined to make it the best. Collegiate sports are hard, but also invaluable. I think every student-athlete can relate to this.

1. 10 minutes is plenty of time for a nap

When your day starts at 5 a.m. and ends at 11 p.m., any free time is nap time. One time I set an alarm for a 7-minute nap. It was beautiful.

2. Your team is your family

No matter how far or close you are to home, everyone needs a college family. Who better to call your sisters/brothers than the people you spend every day grinding with? Don't take those relationships for granted.

3. Sweatpants are a blessing

The real world is really scary. Why? Because you can't wake up from your post-lift 10-minute nap, throw on sweats and head out.

4. Athlete does not equal dumb jock

Sports only last so long. Everyone gets old. Make sure you take advantage of the education you are given. Have a 6th cup of coffee and do your homework. Your future thanks you.

5. Silent work is the best work

Today's society is so engulfed with social media. It is tempting to broadcast how hard you work. But let's be honest, if you have the time and energy to post about it, are you really working hard enough? Work in silence; let your success speak for you. *drops mic*

6. No one remembers the score

There is so much emphasis on winning that it can be hard to see how the score could possibly be forgotten. People remember your story. What you come back from, what you fought through, what you refused to let defeat you. Losing isn't the end, giving up is. Never, ever, ever give up.

7. Coffee: the limit does not exist

1 cup, 2 cups, 18 cups…. It's never enough.

8. Sore muscles feel good

What? Being sore is a nice reminder that you are working hard and getting better. Even if you are walking funny.

9. You're not too old to call your mom

Sometimes you just need to vent. Get a good cry in; complain about how "terrible" your life is. Call your mom. She'll always love you no matter how pathetic you sound.

10. Time literally flies

Wait…. I'm a senior? Didn't I get here yesterday?

11. The grass is not greener on the other side

Train yourself to stop thinking that "normal" students have it so much better. Ask any athlete who is injured and can't train. Your grass is only as green as you decide it is.

12. Just because you aren't competing doesn't mean you aren't contributing

This goes out to all the athletes who have ever had to sit out of a competition for an injury. You are not useless. Your team needs you. You are valuable beyond your knowledge.

13. Always set three alarms

5:30 is a hard time to wake up. Running sprints because you are late to practice isn't fun. Be safe kids, three alarms always.

14. Keep deodorant in your backpack

No one wants to be that smelly kid in class after workout.

15. Reach outside your social comfort zone

Yes, your team is your family. But sometimes you need a break. Find friends in other places. Give yourself some space from your sport. Athletics should only be a part of your life, not the entire thing.

16. Stop comparing sports

Football, gymnastics, wrestling, swimming, basketball, whatever. You are all competing for the same team. You've got your school on your back. Everyone works hard. Everyone gets sore and tired. Accept that every sport trains differently and that no one sport is harder than the next.

17. Cold tubs aren't that cold

"Only 50 degrees today? Pshht. It's like a hot tub!"

18. Don't take it too seriously

Every sport was invented to be a game. Don't lose sight that this should be fun. It will definitely be the hardest you will ever work in your life. You will definitely never feel as tired as you do on a Thursday morning running sprints at 6 a.m. But don't forget to have fun with it. In the end, it doesn't matter if you were ranked number 1 or 100. It matters that you enjoy this amazing opportunity that you have. I won't lie; sometimes it's going to suck, like really suck. But remember it's just a game. And you get to play it with a group of your favorite people in the world. So smile, and run another lap.

Kristen DeCosta is a senior on the gymnastics team at Iowa State. She is originally from Dallas, Texas where she trained at Metroplex Gymnastics. Read DeCosta's blog here.



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