Is running in college really worth it?

BowtiePasta wrote:

I'm currently a sophomore in high school and I have been contacted by quite a few college xc and track coaches, but I'm not sure if I can handle the commitment. I love running and would love to continue competing, but obviously the top priority in college is academics. I also want to go out of state where my parents won't be able to support me with general living necessities, so I will need a job to support myself. Playing a college sport is basically a job, so how am I going to handle studying, competing/practicing, and working all at the same time? Tell me what you all think, should I just go with a job and focus on school or should I attempt all 3 and possibly struggle in my classes?

You are posting on a biased site, but I can tell you if your main fear is losing time for academic because of running don't be afraid. Runners are great students and doing the sport should absolutely help you in body and mind. Success breeds success, my GPA went from a 2.8 in high school to a 3.8 in college and I was spending a lot more time running in college. That level of dedication will make you dedicated to everything you do, I also worked a campus job. The friends I made through running in college and the quality of education I got from going to a small private school (D3) were well beyond my wildest expectations. If I didn't run in college I know I would have just partied, hung with people who didn't really care about me and burnt out. Nothing in my life has ever been as wonderful as being on a collegiate team, if you have the slightest chance to experience that I urge you to take it. I also was helped out tremendously because after my 4 years I received a grad assistantship in coaching so my masters has been fully funded, which I didn't even know about GA positions until I competed in college.

I can relate to your situation. I was a state champ in high school and I ran 4 years D1 all while working part time and getting good grades in school. I worked 40-60 hours per week in the summers and did about 10-16 hours per week in other work during the academic year. Graduated in 4 years with a degree in engineering with honors. It is possible. It is a lot of work and you won't get a lot of sleep and you probably won't improve as much as some of your peers who are not working or who have soft majors. That being said, college track and cross country was one of the best parts of my college experience. I don't keep in touch with many people from college who were not on the team, but I am still in contact with many of my old teammates 20+ years later, and I married one of my teammates younger sister. If you can get by on financial aid and not work your first couple years (other than summers and winter) but intern your last couple years, that would be the way to go as long term the job you have after college will more than make up for the dead end job you will probably work while in school.

If they give you a decent athletic scholarship then go for it. It’s basically a job then.

If no athletic scholarship than I would suggest a part time job instead of competing on a team in college. You can still run on your own. You don’t need a 2-3 hour practice everyday to get fit.

You’ll be happy 15 years from now and you’re not still knee deep in debt.