Page 33 - SFM Jan 2018.indd

Where are you now?

Kyle Sharp

Saginaw Valley State University
Club baseball Outfi elder/Utility player Criminal Justice Major
3r d year
Experience:
College is a huge step for anyone. The picture is painted for all high school seniors starting junior year as they all start to think about the future and post high
school. Like most, I made the choice to continue my education and attend Saginaw Valley State University. I have been living on campus for all 3 years and have
played club baseball as well. College is nothing like high school no matter what anyone tells you. You truly have to want to be here. No one is here to make you get
up, make you do well, make you stay awake during class, this is all about how bad you want it. You truly decide whether you will succeed or fail and it is tough.
Coming out of high school where you attend class for roughly 35 hours a week to college where I may be in a classroom setting for 11-15 hours total for a week... the
freedom is a dual edged sword, it is great, but it can also hurt you. The rumor of “you will study twice as much in college as high school” is a total lie... you study
way more than that, if you want to succeed. In high school, I didn’t really have to study, I could look over my notes, walk into a test, and walk out with an A or B no
problem. College is a totally different animal. Most tests or quizzes I average around 4 hours or more putting together study guides (yeah, those disappear once you
hit college), re-reading material, picking through notes, it is stressful but necessary. You have to be able to manage your time as well. If you take me for someone
who goes to class, comes back to my dorm and studies, you have it all wrong. Everyone has to have a release whether it be going to the gym, playing a sport, playing
an instrument, going to a movie, YOU HAVE TO DO SOMETHING OTHER THAN SCHOOL. If you don’t, it will drive you insane.
Advice:
My advice for all the incoming freshman, no matter where you go, don’t let change scare you. College is a huge step for anyone. You will lose friends, gain new
ones, create habits, and build your future. Step out of your comfort zone. Join a club, do a sport (not just varsity athletics, club, IM), take up a hobby, do whatever
makes you happy. Playing club baseball has given me unbelievable experiences that could never be replaced, lessons, life-long friends, and I get to travel all over
with my team playing the sport I love while completing my academics. Study hard, I know you will hear this from everyone but you really do need to study, start
studying now even if that test is easy it will create a habit and help you in the long run. Profs don’t care who you are or what your high school standing was, you are
just another face in the crowd so it is up to you to succeed or fail. Finally, follow your heart. This is the biggest one and I know it sounds cliché, I came to SVSU as an
engineer major, I was set with a plan, halfway through my freshman year I changed majors and I could not be happier. You have to do what interests you no matter
what people think because in the long run, you will regret it if you conform to what society expects of you. Don’t be the same, be the odd ball, and do what makes
you
happy. For anyone that may have questions about college life or SVSU particular please feel free to reach out to me. I am more than happy to help in any way pos-
sible.

Photo Credit Anne Kennedy

KELLY@SPORTSFINESTMAGAZINE.COM 989 672 0799 SPORTSFINESTMAGAZINE.COM Jan 2018 SPORTS FINEST MAGAZINE • 33