At the age of 15 I left home and everything that was familiar and comfortable to pursue my passion for hockey. Moving away from home to a boarding school over a thousand miles away from family and friends and into dormitory life filled with complete strangers marked the beginning of a journey that I had wanted to take as long as I can remember.
My goal was to play hockey in college; and consequently, moving away was a necessary step in the journey. Backed by the support of my family, I set off and was determined to reach it no matter the cost. Along the way there were countless hours of practice and training and sacrifice, but there were also times of great disappointment, such as not making the top team my first year. Persevering, I refocused my efforts so that I made the team the next year. Outside the game came many lessons too. Right away it was tempting to go hang out with friends or play basketball, but I quickly realized that didn’t leave time for homework. Living away from home forced me to create my own strong study habits, time management skills, self-motivation and strengthened my dedication for excelling in both sports and the classroom.
After high school and two years of junior hockey, I began attending and playing hockey at St. Norbert College which gave me the opportunity to accomplish my goal. I continue to pursue my passion for hockey, but I have also begun the transition into the next stage of my life. Drawing on the life skills I had learned during my time away from home, along with the teamwork skills that I had developed throughout a lifetime of hockey, I felt well-prepared for this stage of my life at college. These skills enable me to balance a full course load each semester, while playing a sport from O...
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...was never one lone experience that provided a moment of clarity, but together they combined to give me confidence that medicine is the career for me.
I feel fortunate to have had a life filled with the experiences that make me who I am today. Being prepared to perform in a situation filled with pressure, or knowing when and being able to rely on a teammate are all applicable in the field of medicine. There are likely many times in medical school and later on in a career in medicine that individual skills, as well as self-motivation and a dedicated, passionate personality are required. But there will also likely be times when problems call for more than one person; where leadership, accountability and teamwork will all be required, and this is where my life in hockey and the experiences of my past will serve me the best in my pursuit to become a physician.
After being mesmerized by figure skating at the age of eight, I became a member of the Markham Skating Club. As a competitive figure skater, I must perform various jumps and spins in a choreographed program. I have participated in numerous competitions in Central Ontario and have received multiple medals for my achievements. Yet, my achievement as a figure skater stem from the adversity that I faced throughout my skating journey. This sport has imposed challenges to both my mental and physical strength that have ultimately constructed the qualities of dedication and humility within myself.
When most people hear the word hockey, they think about skating, ice, and a puck. What most people do not think about is running, the blistering heat, and a small orange ball, however, I do. That is because I play dek hockey, not ice, meaning that we run, and our season is never over. Playing hockey is my favorite thing to do, and I have so many fond memories. Some of those memories are, playing hockey at Bill’s Golfland, U.S.A. Ball Hockey Tryouts, and playing at Penn Hills Dek Hockey.
The first and most important item that I brought to class was a hockey puck. The hockey puck symbolizes my love and passion for the game of hockey. I have been playing hockey for over ten years and I love the game more and more every time I get the opportunity to play it. Hockey has taught me many important life lessons. These lessons are ones about hard work, determination, collaboration,
Being a college athlete requires, year-round dedication. In order to be a college athlete, one must be willing to not only put time and effort in on and off the field, but in the classroom as well. Student athletes attend between twelve and twenty hours of class each week, and they are required to put in much time with practice, daily and games whenever they are held. College athletes can put in around twenty to sixty hours of practice a week, even during the off-season. After sports seasons begin, almost all of a college athlete’s time is spent dedicated to their sport, while somehow trying to maintain time to study, eat, sleep, and stay healthy. Arguments have gone on for many years about whether or not college students should be added to
...slapshot from the point. Two minutes later the puck broke loose from one of the other team's defensman and landed on our most talented player’s stick. He is not only as fast as lightning but can also stick handle around any NHL team blindfolded. He made a quick move to the left, and then to the right. He took the shot which went top shelf on the right side. The second I saw the net move I knew we had done it. The underdog team defeated the 1st ranked team in the state championship game for Missouri high school hockey. An uproar from the mob of people could have been heard from two miles away. I couldn’t believe we had done it. We beat the odds, and took the cup. I felt shivers travel down my bruised and cut body. The hard work did pay off, for we had done it. The tears were flowing like the water dropping from the Niagara Falls. We were State Champions.
There is never enough of anything in the life of a college student. there is never enough time to study, or enough food, or enough money, or enough time to sleep. But, if that student becomes a college athlete then all of the “or’s” change to “and’s”. Even though there are many struggles of a college athlete they are not going away. As the youth of America watches their older counterparts excel in many college sports, a dream to become an athlete at the collegiate level is sparked. This dream is fueled through high school sports and then disseminated by high school counselors. Counselors who are quick to remind that sports do not bring home a paycheck. Neverless, this dream of college sports thrives and is present in the mind of every high
So my teammates and I are always raising our standards for ourselves in softball, in the classroom, in our characters, and in any other aspect our coach could think to bring up in a post-game speech. However, it is through all of this that I have learned that athletics and activities are only the vehicle to a much larger destination. I have learned how to be the best student, best sister, best daughter, best teammate, and best person I can be through sports and other extracurriculars. Sports, softball especially, have been a vehicle for me to use to get to the person I want to be, and that is how athletics and activities have influenced my life. Through necessity, I have learned to become a leader and a teacher to those who need it the most. Through struggle, I have matured and gotten stronger, and I can be strong for those who struggle alongside me. Through sports, I have gained a family that could never be replaced, and I can share that family with others so that they, too, might understand just what it genuinely means be there for somebody. I have learned so much, and I share that knowledge to impact those around
Teamwork is the foundation of my strengths. During my time playing junior hockey, I showcased my ability to contribute in groups, adapt, and understand my teammates. My flexibility is another key strength I hold. When others have ideas or strategies I am open minded and willing to use their plan of action. I often avoid doing planned work in order to complete a more urgent activity. Dedication to projects and procedures is another trait I possess. When a task is presented to me, I am determined to get it done efficiently and work relentlessly until it is completed. Through discipline, I am able to improve my work ethic in a strict environment. Playing junior hockey trained me to control my emotions and keep composure in high pressure situations. Finally, I emphasise my ability to communicate in a clear and caring
Each game, my passion grew. Each team, new memories and lifelong friends were made. Sports sometimes make me feel disappointment and at loss; but it taught me to be resilient to a lot of things, like how to thrive under pressure and come out on top. Being the team captain of my high school’s football and lacrosse team showed me how having a big responsibility to bring a group together to work as one is compared to many situations in life. Currently playing varsity football, varsity lacrosse, and track I take great pride in the activities I do. Staying on top of my academics, being duel enrolled at Indian River State College, working three nights a week, and two different sport practices after school each day shaped my character to having a hard work
This semester I decided to play club lacrosse for BGSU and it has been a very beneficial learning experience for me. I came onto the team not knowing anything about the sport, other than the fact that my best friend plays on the team. Unfortunately, I was the only one in that position because everyone else on the team had played throughout high school. At first, I was very discouraged since I was so confused about what was happening and others could see that I was struggling, but my hard work and focus has led to much improvement. By watching my teammates and asking many questions, I am starting to understand the game much more. This perseverance in a new situation not only applies to sports, but also can be seen daily inside the classroom.
I have been involved in many activities throughout high school that have shaped me into the person I am today. These activities have exposed me to an immense group of different and diverse people. I’ve played hockey since age three, it is more than just a game. It is not only about playing hockey, it is about learning life skills that I will carry with me throughout the rest of my life. I have learned how to work as a team member no matter if things are going well or if they are not. You also build bonds between teammates throughout the years and make memories that will never be forgotten. A very big importance of the game of hockey is being able to represent my home city of White Bear Lake. Nothing is better than going out to represent our city in front of an arena
Hockey. A sport I have always loved ever since I was a kid. It was when my dad had taken me to an open ice skate when my hockey life began. I had my first pair of skates as a present when I was four years old. I never really knew of the sport at the time, but now I was able to expirence it. No one was present on the ice as I entered the rink. The cold of the ice ran down my back as I took my first steps on. The cold didn’t stop me though. As I stepped upon the ice, I had a feeling of relief. Hockey is what let me go fast. Always have I been the fastest kid in my class and hockey let me expand on what I loved to do. One stride at a time I went, until I was able to glide upon the ice. My blades of my skates sunk into the ice like a lion tearing at its prey. As the frost beat against my face, I soon realized that I was able to skate. Even though it was all fuzzy in my memory, I remember feeling all types of joy rush all throughout my body. It was the first sign of potential in hockey. It was a first omen.
Medicine has proven to be an elusive, tempestuous creature. It has appeared to me in visions nightmarish and calm, despairing and joyous. My pursuit has been an odyssey, taking me farther into my heart than I ever dreamed possible. However, before I could even begin to approach the emotional, physical and Intellectual demands of a physician's life, I had to gain a better understanding of myself, my identity and beliefs. Only with this stronger sense of self have I felt the confidence to give my best and my all, and to make my contribution to society.
I have had a lot of interests and hobbies throughout my lifetime but no interest has stuck with me like my passion for hockey has. Hockey has transformed me into the person I am today and has shown me characteristics such as how to be successful, how to take responsibility for my mistakes, and always giving my best effort at anything I attempt.
The advantages of competing in college sports, for the athlete’s sake are both immediate, or while there in college, and also lifelong. Participating in college sports provides the athletes opportunities to learn, compete and succeed in their respective sports. Student-athletes receive top-notch academic support from the college, regular access to outstanding coaching, facilities and equipment, and quality health care through the college. It is shown that student-athletes as a group graduate at higher rates than their peers in college and feel better prepared for life after college. (http://www.ncaa.org/student-athletes/future/want-play-c...