I have a Freshman athlete already on campus in pre-season and who sounded pretty discouraged and miserable today. She went in with an injury, so I know that in addition to the level of commitment being a bit more, she's also not in her best physical shape and is feeling it. She moved on campus early, so there are very few people in her dorm (roommate doesn't move in for another week). She left a very tight group of friends behind at home, and is feeling the sting of not being around them, realizing that her time isn't really hers until November, getting her butt kicked at practices, and the adjustment to being away, and I have a kid that actually said to me, after working 6 years to get where she is, that she's not sure she wants to continue playing.
Anyone else experience this kind of thing? I'm trying to be objective, and told her to give it a little more time, wait for the other students to arrive on campus, for season to start, before she makes any decisions. I'm concerned that she's going to make a hasty decision that she can't undo. She received significant academic money so not playing doesn't affect her being able to attend, but I still have a good amount of out of pocket -- the only reason I was all in on this school is because she had a great opportunity to play, which is what she wanted. Totally didn't see this coming -- playing for this school is all this kid has talked about for the last year. I know the coach is going hard this year, and that a few second year players have actually quit already, because the preseason this year is far tougher that in past years.
She's never quit anything, I don't want her to have what I think will be a significant regret later on, and one that can't be undone. Any "words of wisdom" I provide seem inadequate. Anyone have any thoughts or experiences with this kind of thing and if so what did you do?
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