申請美國Bryant University的Essay短文2.

申請美國Bryant University的Essay短文:How Swimming Has Affected My Life by Rebecca Papritz - October 09, 2007 Topic of your choice. Giving up my weekend nights for swim practice was something I was used to by the time I reached high school. Swimming, I felt, was my niche, and with that niche came many sacrifices. Yet, for all the “hardships” that came with it, I earned the benits back ten-fold. Practices were three nights a week and consisted of merciless sets of sprinting, kicking and pulling. Of course there was always the option of taking a breather, but would the Coach consider us “true” members of the team if we sat out? It was not very likely. The only device that kept us sane during practice was counting down the time on the clock, “Just thirty more minutes, and I can relax for another twenty-two hours.” Getting home in time to shower and finish homework bore midnight was considered a miraculous occurrence, but the cycle repeated itself as we would get up the next day and do it all over again. However, there are many other aspects to this sport besides being in physical shape. The one I most value is teamwork. Swimming is a sport that allows the individual to stand out while still being a tight-knit team, much like schools strive to achieve. This type of environment has helped me to reach my full potential while helping others reach theirs. Above all, it has kept me centered and I’m proud of my team, win or lose, because I know that the passion and talent is there. I have never been more dedicated to any aspect of my life, and it’s given me the confidence to carry out all that I wish to achieve. It has forced me into a role of leadership on my team as well as in my school and community. Over the past few years, those practices are what have helped me to not only get in shape physically but also mentally. I feel blessed to have had such a great experience on my swim team and benit so much at the same time. I know that these experiences are what have most prepared me for college and look forward to conquering life’s obstacles with my enduring faith.