Ideas from a Skilled Footballer

Like everybody, I discover it laborious to steadiness being a pupil with all of the distractions of life.
However hardest of all is pursuing my dream of taking part in skilled soccer whereas
being a full-time college pupil. That is primarily based alone private
challenges and circumstances however is related to any pupil juggling examine with
life. I feel it reinforces that defending your psychological well being is your quantity
one precedence, it doesn’t matter what your course of examine or hobbies is. Everybody
faces stress whereas learning. My stress is fixed, and my life is very similar to a
roller-coaster with very excessive “highs” and really low “lows”. So, right here’s a listing of
my absolute necessities for managing the hurly-burly.

Firstly, have
a wholesome angle to socializing. I’m placing this primary on the record as a result of a
latest occasion at our pupil residence has put this on the high of the agenda. If
me in any respect, that I don’t drink or do something that may
compromise my well being. However that is additionally true for something that may jeopardize
my soccer profession, placement at college or visa. The essential issues that
preserve me in Spain. It’s laborious to say no however I’ve had quite a lot of apply now at
bringing a wholesome angle to alcohol, tobacco and different medicine. And no, not
everybody respects that alternative. However frankly, that’s not my downside. Dwelling a
wholesome way of life is essential, and never only for the plain well being advantages.
You don’t need to threat every part that you simply’ve labored laborious for. You don’t need
to threat your future.

I discussed
the occasion on the residence. In fact, there are some shenanigans while you
first transfer into college. However some folks will take it too far. Don’t be that
particular person. A number of simply should study the laborious means that the police will get entangled
and the college might be notified. Right here’s my tip: discover like-minded folks to
dangle with. That is working for me and means I can nonetheless have associates and exit
socially with out compromising my wholesome way of life selections. And hey, no judgement
on the freshies on the Residence – they’re contemporary out of highschool in any case.

Create the
best sleeping surroundings once more, this ranks very excessive on my wholesome way of life
record. I can’t perform as a pupil or a footballer with out sleep. Once I moved
to the brand new residence, I used to be uncomfortably shocked to find that within the
center of a scorching sizzling Madrid summer season, there was no aircon! It took two
sleepless nights earlier than I bit the bullet and went out to purchase a flooring fan. My
greatest buy this yr with none exaggeration. No matter it’s in your dorm
room or residence that’s impacting the standard of your sleep: repair it now. I
can’t stress this sufficient. Understandably, that is tougher in case you are sharing
your room. I’m lucky to have a personal room, however I’ve regularly needed to
share with as much as 5 different college students at totally different instances in my life, so I do know
what that’s like.

Go on a
friend-finding mission You may’t spend all of your time in your room. If you’re
doing that it’s a signal that you simply aren’t coping. Likewise, I can’t spend all my
time hanging out with the soccer group. With a brand new pupil residence, there’s a
complete batch of latest folks to get to know. Regardless that I’m challenged by
being the one non-native Spanish speaker right here, that is one of the best ways for me to
push exterior my consolation zone (and enhance my Spanish within the course of). Discover a
group that may do the identical for you.

Hardest one
of all: wholesome consuming whereas residing on campus. If you happen to stay in a residence, then
you’re on the mercy of the eating corridor. I attempt to steer myself towards the
more healthy selections. And, my coaching schedule is demanding. I end at 10:30 pm
which implies I by no means make it house for dinner and don’t eat till 11:00pm.
Fortunately, the eating employees will put my meals apart (it took some negotiation
as this didn’t come as normal). They made me agree that in the event that they put a meal
apart, I might eat it. Typically the membership places on a BBQ or orders burgers,
or we exit after coaching, so these days are difficult otherwise!
I did say once I began this submit that my every day necessities had been primary. However it’s
these necessities: holding to a wholesome social life, sleeping effectively and consuming
effectively that preserve me moving into the appropriate route day in and day trip.

I am sharing from a really private place.  I’d love to listen to how others handle their day-to-day stress. My challenges typically really feel overwhelming, like once I spend a complete season sitting on the bench, or assembly getting a sure GPA to get into the course I’ve chosen. I’ve discovered some primary coping methods that I exploit that others may discover shocking.