I just wanted to say thank you to all of those who have followed my blog over the course of this semester. It has been a good experience for me to share things about my life and let everyone know sort of what it's like to be a college athlete.
As for the future for this blog, I'm not sure what's going to happen. I might try to keep up and post every now and then, especially when softball season starts, but I guess you'll just have to check back later to find out!
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Podcast
Hey everyone! Here is my podcast talking a little bit more about my life this first semester as a college athlete. I hope you enjoy!
part 1 Download this episode (right click and save)
part 2 Download this episode (right click and save)
part 3 Download this episode (right click and save)
part 4 Download this episode (right click and save)
P.S. Sorry this is broken up, but it's the only way I could get it to work.
part 1 Download this episode (right click and save)
part 2 Download this episode (right click and save)
part 3 Download this episode (right click and save)
part 4 Download this episode (right click and save)
P.S. Sorry this is broken up, but it's the only way I could get it to work.
Study Spots
As finals are approaching all of the procrastinators and lazy people will be coming out of hibernation and filling up the library. If this happens here is a map of a few coffee shops that can double as study space in your time of need!
Facilities at WU
Here are some of the facilities our Ichabod athletes use. They are scattered around campus and are all within a few minutes of walking distance.
If you get the chance you should attend a sporting event at one of these places!
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Study Table Struggles-Part 2
As finals are approaching, teachers are more and more pushy about getting our assignments finished and turned in on time. Because of this pushiness, it is almost like we are all resisting their authority and waiting until the last minute to finish our papers and projects that were assigned early in the semester.
As the semester has progressed it has been easy to log hours at study tables because we lose focus so quickly. Just last night my roommate and I planned on working out, grabbing a quick bite to eat, and spending the entire night in the library focused on our studies.
Recently, my teachers have been assigning busy work to fill the time before finals. While this may sound like easy things to do it is absolutely pointless! If you're going to make me sit here and work one something irrelevant to what we're learning then you're crazy! I would rather spend that time working on studying for my finals early while I have time.
Instead of spending the night focused in the library like we'd planned we sat there talking about foods we didn't like, looking up YouTube videos, and drawing all over the whiteboard. By the time 9 o'clock rolled around we realized how much time we spent messing around. I had a paper and a take home test to finish, and as for Savannah, she had 2 papers and Stats homework to do.
Overcome by lack of sleep, fear of failure, and a sugar high, I was able to snap back into focus mode and knock out my assignments in just over 2 hours.
If I could come to the library with that kind of energized focus every day all of my homework would get done in the quickest amount of time possible. There would be no more procrastinating for me.
Hopefully when success week and finals week get here I'll be able to control my focus and get everything done before the due dates!
As the semester has progressed it has been easy to log hours at study tables because we lose focus so quickly. Just last night my roommate and I planned on working out, grabbing a quick bite to eat, and spending the entire night in the library focused on our studies.
Recently, my teachers have been assigning busy work to fill the time before finals. While this may sound like easy things to do it is absolutely pointless! If you're going to make me sit here and work one something irrelevant to what we're learning then you're crazy! I would rather spend that time working on studying for my finals early while I have time.
Instead of spending the night focused in the library like we'd planned we sat there talking about foods we didn't like, looking up YouTube videos, and drawing all over the whiteboard. By the time 9 o'clock rolled around we realized how much time we spent messing around. I had a paper and a take home test to finish, and as for Savannah, she had 2 papers and Stats homework to do.
Overcome by lack of sleep, fear of failure, and a sugar high, I was able to snap back into focus mode and knock out my assignments in just over 2 hours.
If I could come to the library with that kind of energized focus every day all of my homework would get done in the quickest amount of time possible. There would be no more procrastinating for me.
Hopefully when success week and finals week get here I'll be able to control my focus and get everything done before the due dates!
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Campus Chills
Monday night, out of nowhere, came a cold front dropping the temperature from a nice 60 degrees to nearly 32 degrees after it got dark. This crazy drop in temperature sent all of Washburn's students back to their rooms to get coats, sweats, and coffee to keep them warm. Not only did it effect the students, but it had a huge impact on the athletes as well.
Because of the chilly temperatures, softball and baseball won't be practicing outside any time soon forcing us into the gyms. Now I know that doesn't seem like much of a problem, but at WU there are only 2 full size courts. When softball and baseball and possibly the men's and women's tennis teams, are forced into the homes of the volleyball, and men and women's basketball teams, things can get a little hectic.
Just yesterday, we had hitting practice in the tunnels upstairs which was open and available. For warmups we started in the upstairs gym, almost finished, but got kicked out by the women's basketball team. We had to play catch on the stage on the side of the gym trying to avoid the tables and other stuff left up there. When it came time for conditioning, our pitchers and catchers were throwing on the track just behind the stairs in the gym, the janitors were getting the court ready for the volleyball game that night so running on the court was not an option. We were forced to run on the little strip of track on the side of the gym.
People always say "just go with the flow", and that's usually what I do, but when all athletic teams have to share facilities you really have to be open and ready to change what you're doing at the drop of a hat.
Hopefully we can all workout designated practice times so this catastrophe doesn't happen again!
Because of the chilly temperatures, softball and baseball won't be practicing outside any time soon forcing us into the gyms. Now I know that doesn't seem like much of a problem, but at WU there are only 2 full size courts. When softball and baseball and possibly the men's and women's tennis teams, are forced into the homes of the volleyball, and men and women's basketball teams, things can get a little hectic.
Just yesterday, we had hitting practice in the tunnels upstairs which was open and available. For warmups we started in the upstairs gym, almost finished, but got kicked out by the women's basketball team. We had to play catch on the stage on the side of the gym trying to avoid the tables and other stuff left up there. When it came time for conditioning, our pitchers and catchers were throwing on the track just behind the stairs in the gym, the janitors were getting the court ready for the volleyball game that night so running on the court was not an option. We were forced to run on the little strip of track on the side of the gym.
People always say "just go with the flow", and that's usually what I do, but when all athletic teams have to share facilities you really have to be open and ready to change what you're doing at the drop of a hat.
Hopefully we can all workout designated practice times so this catastrophe doesn't happen again!
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Team Bonding
I know it may sound kind of silly, but being close with your teammates OFF the field really does help you ON the field.
Being a part of the softball team here at Washburn has opened me up to some cool things here in Topeka. We went to Gary's Berries pumpkin patch early one morning and it was a blast! We all went through the corn maze, looked for cute, little pumpkins, and even went on the tractor ride! The pumpkin donuts and kettle corn were also really yummy. We've also had team dinners where we can relax and just have fun together as a team. Before the fall season even got here we all went to Red Robin and saw an inspirational movie as a team.
Being a part of a team not only lets you be a part of something bigger than yourself, but it shows you how to work with other people both inside and outside of practice. By doing things outside of practice as a team it allows us to be closer and see how similar we may be to another person on the team.
A bonus to team bonding is the added impact of communication. If you're able to talk to your teammates about regular, every day things then talking on the field will be a breeze. This way you'll also be able to learn a little bit more about them as a person.
One key component of team bonding is trust. We've all seen or heard of certain exercised used to build trust, whether that is a trust fall activity, or having someone lead you when your eyes are closed, you all have to be willing to put your life in their hands. This is essentially what you're doing when game time rolls around. You will only be able to do your job, and you have to be able to trust your teammates that they will do the same.
Being a part of the softball team here at Washburn has opened me up to some cool things here in Topeka. We went to Gary's Berries pumpkin patch early one morning and it was a blast! We all went through the corn maze, looked for cute, little pumpkins, and even went on the tractor ride! The pumpkin donuts and kettle corn were also really yummy. We've also had team dinners where we can relax and just have fun together as a team. Before the fall season even got here we all went to Red Robin and saw an inspirational movie as a team.
Photo Credit: Maddie Abbs
Being a part of a team not only lets you be a part of something bigger than yourself, but it shows you how to work with other people both inside and outside of practice. By doing things outside of practice as a team it allows us to be closer and see how similar we may be to another person on the team.
A bonus to team bonding is the added impact of communication. If you're able to talk to your teammates about regular, every day things then talking on the field will be a breeze. This way you'll also be able to learn a little bit more about them as a person.
One key component of team bonding is trust. We've all seen or heard of certain exercised used to build trust, whether that is a trust fall activity, or having someone lead you when your eyes are closed, you all have to be willing to put your life in their hands. This is essentially what you're doing when game time rolls around. You will only be able to do your job, and you have to be able to trust your teammates that they will do the same.
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