Being an upperclassmen transfer is both amazing and truly uncomfortable at the same time. Having a fifth year of eligibility due to COVID, I decided to take the leap and transfer so I could pursue my master's degree. At first, I thought “this will be a piece of cake,” but no one prepares you to join a team for only a short period of time. I was fortunate enough to walk into a group of teammates who went out of their way to ensure that I felt included. Even with a welcoming team, there's bound to be a gap just based on age or experience.
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Being the “Old Lady” of the Team
One of the first realities I noticed was the age gap. I was 22 on a team with some teammates as young as 17. I felt like the team grandma. Fortunately, my team has another graduate transfer who came the year prior, so we have been able to join forces and be the “old ladies” together.
Being older makes it easier to assert yourself in a leadership role within the team. You can bring new ideas from your previous experiences to help grow the culture on and off the field. It also allowed me to help the new underclassmen get adjusted into the school. I was able to learn the ins and outs of the program/school right there with them, and seeing someone who is a few years older going through the same thing allowed them to feel comfortable around me.
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Living without Teammates
As an upperclassman transfer, you will likely also not be living with teammates. Living without teammates is both a blessing and curse. You are able to live two separate lives, and the reality is that in the off season when everyone is still practicing, you will no longer be an active team member, so it's nice to have that separation.
On the other hand, you feel disconnected already and even more so when you don't know what's going on because you don't live with teammates. It is especially difficult during school when everyone is so busy with class that you really only see your teammates at practice and don't get that same catching up time that you had during preseason.
Related: How Do Transfer Athletes Find Their Place on Their New Team?
The Scariest, but Best Experience
The last reality is that it can really be the best experience of your life. It is scary; change is something that makes everyone uncomfortable. But, embracing the change and making the most of it will change your life. I came to a team where I knew nobody, met 27 girls who I will continue to build relationships with once I am no longer an athlete, and fell back in love with my sport. When I realized the role and impact I could have on this team, it really made me realize why I devoted so much time playing.
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* Originally published on January 25, 2022, by Andrea Leitner
