Directions:Read the following passage. Summarize
the main idea and the main point(s) of the passage in no more than 60 words.
Use your own words as far as possible.
What It means to Be a Student Athlete?
Chances are if you make it to college athletics, you have
already put countless hours, blood, sweat and tears into the sport you play.
College athletics is the next step in becoming a better athlete. But is it like
a hidden life that only the dedicated workers get to experience.
While the average college student schedules classes alter
than 10A.m., most student athletes—me included—get out of bed at 6A.m. and get
in practice. We must schedule our classes around our practices to make sure
that we can give 100 percent both in the classroom and at practice. Student athletes
may experience the joy of going to class sweaty after lifting weights without
having any time to shower. Your average girl student, by contrast, comes in
wearing a nice outfit and a full face of make-up.
When the average students shows up to class 45 minutes late,
it often angers the student athlete who has been up since the crack of dawn.
Some might say student athletes are not smart and that they're only there to
play sports. My response to that would be: Try training 20 hours a week and
then being attentive every day in class. The free time that we do have is spent
at the study hall studying for upcoming tests.
Being a student athlete is much more than the early wake-up
time. It is much more than tight schedule. It is much more than no free time.
Being a student athlete means that we put our school's name
on our backs and represent it doing what we love. We have worked hard to get
where we are and that pride of stepping up on game day is worth every ounce of
sweat.
Being a student athlete means that we are among the most
athletic ones in our age group. We get to meet other athletes who are gifted
and dedicated. We get to create bonds with those who share a passion for
athletics.
Being a student athlete means that young kids look up to us
in an admirable way. We have the influence to give them power and keep them
reaching for their dreams. When we look back on our time with college
athletics, we won't remember how much we hated specific exercises. We will
remember the pure joy and great pride that we feel in doing what we love with
those who we love.