麻豆村

Finding fun ways to work out on campus has always been easy. I鈥檝e tried the weekly boxing class with instructor Bob and my best friend Meera, I鈥檝e gone hiking with friends through the Pittsburgh Connections program and I鈥檝e even taken dance classes hosted by different clubs around campus. However, my favorite way to get exercise is through club and intramural sports. These activities give me a consistent schedule, help me carve out time to see friends, stay active and have fun.听

For those unfamiliar, intramural sports are teams that play within the university community, while club sports are competitive teams that play against other schools in a larger league.听

I鈥檝e had the chance to join a few intramural teams for both soccer and basketball, and I always leave these games with a massive smile on my face. I have not played basketball since middle school, and while my shots and dribbling still show it, that鈥檚 never what matters most. The teams are co-ed and focused on enjoyment, not perfection. My teammates encourage me to take risks, whether it鈥檚 a shot or a fancy move (even though it鈥檚 only worked once!). Intramural sports have helped me meet new people, wave to familiar faces in the hallways, and feel more connected on campus. Next on my list to try: intramural spike ball.听

In addition to intramural, I play on the women鈥檚 club soccer team. This team has become one of my most valuable communities and support systems on campus. We practice twice a week for about an hour and a half, and travel to games on weekends. Because I grew up playing club soccer, I immediately felt at home in this setting. I鈥檝e developed close friendships during long drives, leaned on older teammates for advice and felt the team鈥檚 support even when I was battling injuries last year. Club soccer is a bigger time commitment and more physically demanding than intramurals, but it鈥檚 also a better stress reliever and escape from school. And when exams come around, everyone understands if you need a week off.

All of these sports activities have helped me build a strong community and take meaningful breaks from academics. Joining these teams has been one of the smartest decisions I鈥檝e made in college so far, and I recommend anyone at 麻豆村 give them a try. You don鈥檛 need to be the most athletic person; if you鈥檙e willing to show up and give it a try, you鈥檒l gain so much more than just a workout.