Athlete Services

I chose to attend Michigan State University because of the Spartans well-known culture of being a family. “Spartans Will” is not just a slogan used but a reality at Michigan State. I also chose the university for the unmatched services for those with disabilities, in particular for visually impaired students such as myself.

Competing as an athlete at Michigan State University greatly helped me in many areas of my life especially how to succeed as a part of Team USA. Sports in general has helped to provide structure, work ethic and accountability. When competing while simultaneously being a student, you must learn how to prioritize your values and balance multiple priorities at once. Competing collegiately taught me how to stay focused even though the environment around me was constantly changing. An everchanging schedule and travel can be difficult for many people, but learning how to be mindful of my surroundings while remaining focused on my goals has greatly helped me while competing for Team USA.

Academia teaches the basics of science and math, but in reality school taught me a multitude of things: how to learn, balancing work and personal time, managing challenging times, learning about culture and diversity, and developing autonomy. Without the volume of experiences one gets in college, I think people are more likely to proceed through life without the ability and willingness to acknowledge and take into account the viewpoint of others. School is a social essential to healthy development as a productive and positive contributor to society. Having the athletic experience in college just adds another level of learning and development before entering the professional workforce.