The autumn semester of 2022 was an extremely rigorous one. I was taking 18 credit hours, working a part-time job, actively involved in my scholars group as a committee chair and struggling to maintain a sense of balance, which took a major toll on my motivation and energy. This semester I focused on prioritizing my physical and mental health and wellbeing, and one of the ways I did so was through intramural volleyball.
I played volleyball competitively for six years prior to college and nearly forgot my passion for the sport! It was a great way to take a break from schoolwork, deepen my connections with friends,
and simply enjoy doing something I love in a stress-free environment. It provided me the opportunity to strengthen my coaching skills (and patience) teaching my friends new skills on the court, and gave me a space in which I could exercise a healthy amount of competition.
Overall, I’ve noticed a huge improvement in both myself and my academics this semester. By focusing on my health first, I’ve been more successful in balancing my workload and more productive, both inside and outside of the classroom. Maintaining a sense of balance has definitely been one of the more difficult lessons I’ve had to learn in college, but intramural volleyball helped me remember the benefits of prioritizing your wellbeing!