College life:

I deleted the thread I started on my dd. I have my reasons. Still, there are so many things that I think have happened to BB that can help you all. I thought I'd post some stuff from this weekend.

BB's team's games were cancelled this weekend. BB is so stressed. She blew out the side of her hitting shoes and needed to get another pair. We ran money over to her and wow did we get caught up on all the goings on. First her apartment looked terrible. She had posters and other stuff all over the place. She has 3 different projects due this coming week and is battling for time to get it all done. She doesn't have time to get the shoes although her and her boyfriend did as she took a break last night. She talked about her classroom practicum and how the school's assigned evaluator can't make it on day other than Thursdays and BB has had to leave to go to tournaments on Thursdays. So, this weekend that finally got done. BB said it was like a mountain of stress slid off of her back but then only to have the projects assigned. As she was working, she got a message that her virus protection was "illegal" and to click on ... Thank goodness she didn't do that. I called our tech person and he opened her computer from his house. It was an attempt to hack her. From there, her computer battery went dead. So, we have to get her a new battery. She just kept talking and the dam burst forth. Mostly about team stuff and how she feels all of this pressure and how she was carrying snow off the field and hurt her back and stomach ... As a parent it is hard to take it listening to her. She'll be fine but needed to vent some and just talk to mom and dad. We have told her she doesn't have to have straight A's. We have tried to tell her to laugh when she plays and stop worrying about failing. When we left there, I was not sure whether softball was a blessing or a curse. Anyway, I called today and she's fine. For those of you that have your dds headed far from you or already there, it might be a good idea to skype them once in a while.

Thanks for the post. It gives a great perspective.

The reason for my post is that sometimes the academics can be overwhelming alone. Factor in practice, field maintenance, etc. and there are times all of our daughters just don't understand how they can do everything. The process often then is to cut corners and mostly with the academics. We often think that a course syllabus takes all of this into account and therefore, they don't have assignments "dumped" on them. That has never been the case even when I played in college. (I use the term "played" loosely as I never got off the bench.)

For my daughter, she needed to talk to us and I know so many parents here are just as close to their daughters. Like I said, once she got going, it just rolled. That is why I think those that are removed from their daughters, Skype is a great tool to use to talk to them and for them to see their parents/siblings and home.

For what it's worth, my daughter (who doesn't play ball) has called up more than once from college in tears. I keep reassuring her it will be worth it. It's tough for many of them to move away and start this new stage of life, while everything they know is miles away. I am learning that she's not as independent as I previously thought. She's still my little girl.

*sniff*

Cannonball said:

The reason for my post is that sometimes the academics can be overwhelming alone. Factor in practice, field maintenance, etc. and there are times all of our daughters just don't understand how they can do everything. The process often then is to cut corners and mostly with the academics. We often think that a course syllabus takes all of this into account and therefore, they don't have assignments "dumped" on them. That has never been the case even when I played in college. (I use the term "played" loosely as I never got off the bench.)

For my daughter, she needed to talk to us and I know so many parents here are just as close to their daughters. Like I said, once she got going, it just rolled. That is why I think those that are removed from their daughters, Skype is a great tool to use to talk to them and for them to see their parents/siblings and home.

Click to expand...

We use Face Time from time to time. We were waiting to be seated at Rib Crib and me and youngest DD were arguing. Mom said it feels like sis should be here so we Face Timed her. When we were seated we were still talking so we propped the phone up in the empty spot at the table. When the waitress came she ordered a sweet tea from 200 miles away. lol

And I agree that it is overwhelming to go off and be on your own. Pile on school, practice, travel,.... and BOYFRIEND(thank God that thing is back home). Simple things like flat tires and dealing with Wal Mart when their car comes back from an oil change with a dent are now a new adventure for the kids. But I hope readers do not get the idea that it is all stress and pain. Playing college ball exposes them to so much more than most students get to see. And I would think/hope that Freshman year is the worst and is down hill from there. Good luck to her!

Thank you all for sharing all of your stories, the insight into the life of a collegiate athlete is so amazing !! It will definitely help me prepare for when DD reaches that level.

Not that you thought you were - but CB you are not alone (with DD's that are hit with BIG challenge on balancing the college SB life)

College life is stressful. Its good to hear a perspective that isn't all sunshine and roses. We all tend to mention the great things going on in our dds lives, but maybe gloss over the rough patches.

To any parent on this board who has not yet had a child go to college, pay attention. I know that many of us here have high achieving kids. Great students, great athletes, community service activities... But college is much different then High School, add in the pressure of the new environment and competition and those high achieving kids are all of a sudden in a situation they have never been in, possible failure. Maybe not actual failure, but in their mind it feels like it. The kids who struggled to get good grades are probably better prepared for this part of college life because they have faced this pressure before.

And no the professors do not have any idea what you have assigned in your other courses, nor do they care. If they want a 20 page report by next Tuesday, they don't care that you have 2 others due on Wednesday.

Thanks for the perspective, and I know your dd will work it out.

And on a different note. What are hitting shoes?

chinamigarden, Coach supplies turf shoes to hit inside but BB has a "bunion." There is a particular running shoe that doesn't hurt her foot and so, we joked that these running shoes make her look like she is a runner. Since she is never going to be a runner, she calls them her hitting shoes. Naturally, they are expensive running shoes. LOL!

Thanks for the responses. No, I knew we were not alone and so hoped some of you would share as well so that members could get a better idea of what happens. For some of you who's dd are freshman, it does get a little better Sophomore and Junior year. Then, they get piled on again as Seniors due to their majors. If your dd wants to be a nurse and play her senior year, wow.