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From Dawn to Dusk: A Day in the Life of a College Soccer Player

"The life of a student-athlete is not for the faint-hearted, think early mornings, late nights, and limited time off. The physical and mental exhaustion that college athletes are subjected to, really tests just how much you love your sport.

Morning

5:30 AM – It’s dark, cold, and wet outside, yet it is time to get out of bed and psych yourself up for the morning weights session (Tip: chug water and coffee before leaving).

5:45 AM – You are walking across campus, as you head towards the weight room; you would much rather be in bed, but know that you must put the work in.

7:00 AM – It is over. You feel good now, and ready to tackle the rest of the day. It was not as bad as you thought it would be. Now, time for a light snack before the fun starts, soccer time.

8:00 AM – Finally, the ever-so-familiar sensation of your studs grazing the turf as you jog onto the field, filling your lungs with the crisp morning air.

8:15 AM – Warmup done. Time to get some touches on the ball.

10:00 AM – Practice finished. You feel great, yet exhausted. It feels like it’s been a whole day already, but it is only just starting. The cleats are left in the locker for the following day.

10:15 AM – Breakfast time + an informal debrief about practice with teammates.

Afternoon

11 AM – 3 PM: Class. Now that your body has been through all of its excursion for the day, it’s your brain’s turn. (Tips: Caffeine is highly recommended to help make it through this portion of the day. Grab a quick lunch whenever you have time between classes).

3:30 PM – Treatment time for any aches, pains, or niggles that you are currently suffering from.

Evening

6 PM – Dinner. Time to refuel after your busy day, while spending time with your friends and teammates

7 PM Onwards – Free time, the best part of the day. This could consist of several things, depending on what you have going on, from an evening of crammed studying, completing last-minute homework assignments, or simply hanging out with your teammates and enjoying some well-earned downtime

9:30 (Recommended) Bedtime – At the risk of sounding like a parent, it is critical that you go to sleep at a decent hour, to allow your body to repair itself after a strenuous day, as well as prepare yourself for the same again tomorrow.

This schedule is based on what I have experienced at different schools, but it is important to remember that it can vary from school to school. The constant reality everywhere is how time-consuming the life of a college soccer player is, and this is without considering the time constraints of a possible part-time job.

The moral of the story is that playing college soccer is less of a hobby and more of a full-time job. You have to be all in and put in the hard yards every day. If you learn to enjoy the grind, then this will be a thoroughly enjoyable experience."

Source: College Soccer Insight