College I Feel Like Trying Out For My College Cheer Team Was A Mistake

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Nov 20, 2016
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I went to my college’s cheer tryouts a couple of months ago and I made the team. I was really excited about it, but now that the actual season is about to start I’m starting to really regret it and I’m not sure what to do. I’m worried that it’s way too much of a time commitment and I won’t be able to do anything else besides cheer and school. I also think that I’m just kind of over cheer at this point. But I don’t want to miss out on my last years that I can do this and have the experience of cheering at games and making friends from cheer. I’m not sure what to do. I don’t want to miss out on being able to join other things or work this year because of cheer but I also am not sure if I want to stop cheering yet. What is college cheer really like? How big is the time commitment? Is it worth it?
 
Time commitment will vary dramatically between programs. Between classes, practice, conditioning, appearances, and game day it could easily be 30+ hours a week during busy season (sports overlap, nationals practice). Good luck with your decision.
 
It really does depend on the program. My daughter practiced 2 times a week, and had 2 early morning workouts a week but didn't cheer football last fall (which would have added an additional practice time on on most weeks plus the actual game), but she had volleyball and basketball games (which were during the week as well as on weekends but they rotated so not every cheerleader was at every game). There were also appearances, parades, etc., and they had to do 10 community service hours total each semester. She went to NCA in Daytona so there was choreo and practice for that which they had to come back early from their spring break for, but the competition team at her school was optional. This year she will also cheer for football so add that into the mix. They do have to be back a lot earlier because of that; classes start August 21 and cheer has to be there on the 8th for practices starting the next morning.

All that being said, she still had time to join a sorority (the coach wanted them to have the college experience they wanted, and recruitment worked around cheer, go figure lol) and do her work for her classes. And made a lot of great cheer and non-cheer friends. It really depends on you and what kind of college experience you desire. If you decide not to cheer though, you should let the coach know ASAP because they will need to fill your spot.
 
I went to my college’s cheer tryouts a couple of months ago and I made the team. I was really excited about it, but now that the actual season is about to start I’m starting to really regret it and I’m not sure what to do. I’m worried that it’s way too much of a time commitment and I won’t be able to do anything else besides cheer and school. I also think that I’m just kind of over cheer at this point. But I don’t want to miss out on my last years that I can do this and have the experience of cheering at games and making friends from cheer. I’m not sure what to do. I don’t want to miss out on being able to join other things or work this year because of cheer but I also am not sure if I want to stop cheering yet. What is college cheer really like? How big is the time commitment? Is it worth it?

What college did you try out for, a top competitive team like Kentucky or a non-competitive team like Auburn?
 
What college did you try out for, a top competitive team like Kentucky or a non-competitive team like Auburn?
It’s non competitive and smaller than both of those schools, but we cheer football, basketball, and volleyball, and do a lot of other performances and appearances.
 
IMO since you made the team, I think that is a committment right there that you should stick to for at least this season. If you decide it's too much, finish the year and don't try out next year. If things get hard financially and you have to quit to work a job, that's one thing, but for losing out on experiences at college, you may find if you stay organized, you will have time for those experiences. Plus you will miss out on some experiences with cheer and games if you quit. That's my advice. Take it or leave it but have fun regardless.
 
IMO since you made the team, I think that is a committment right there that you should stick to for at least this season. If you decide it's too much, finish the year and don't try out next year. If things get hard financially and you have to quit to work a job, that's one thing, but for losing out on experiences at college, you may find if you stay organized, you will have time for those experiences. Plus you will miss out on some experiences with cheer and games if you quit. That's my advice. Take it or leave it but have fun regardless.
Thanks. I think I agree with you. I love cheering at games and I think that it’d be a great experience especially in college, but I can barely afford to pay for my first year, and if I don’t work this year I won’t be able to afford next year for sure, at least without extra loans. Hopefully I’ll find a way to make it work!
 
Thanks. I think I agree with you. I love cheering at games and I think that it’d be a great experience especially in college, but I can barely afford to pay for my first year, and if I don’t work this year I won’t be able to afford next year for sure, at least without extra loans. Hopefully I’ll find a way to make it work!
Good luck. I hope everything works out for you.
 
Thanks. I think I agree with you. I love cheering at games and I think that it’d be a great experience especially in college, but I can barely afford to pay for my first year, and if I don’t work this year I won’t be able to afford next year for sure, at least without extra loans. Hopefully I’ll find a way to make it work!
Now I’m confused. Do you want to quit because you’re afraid you’ll be overwhelmed and miss out on other potential activities/not have enough time for school work, or because you need to work and are afraid you won’t be able to do both? You made absolutely no mention of financial concerns in your original post.
 
Sorry if it was confusing. It’s mostly because I need and also want to work. But I want to do other activities too, and all of it is overwhelming me.
 
Sorry if it was confusing. It’s mostly because I need and also want to work. But I want to do other activities too, and all of it is overwhelming me.
I will give you my opinion - it was selfish of you to try out for cheer and take someone else’s place knowing that you needed to and wanted to work without thinking everything through. That being said, my opinion doesn’t mean crap, and if you truly want to, you can juggle school, cheer and work however will most likely have limited time especially initially for other activities as you are getting settled and accustomed to your new routine. If you are a person who thrives on being super busy, though, it might all work out for you, as it will force you to schedule the time to get your school work completed and to study. I’m sure I’m coming off as harsh but I’m thinking about that poor kid who didn’t make the team because you accepted a spot. Perhaps try cheer this year along with a job, and see if you can handle it all along with your classes (which imho need to come first). If not, then cheer needs to be the thing that goes but at least you’ve given it a try.
 
My kid cheered at one of the most competitive programs in the nation and would not have changed it for the world. She met her best friends and met her boyfriend indirectly through cheer. She will tell you in a heartbeat that it was the best four years of her life. That being said. It was a struggle at times. She did not take more than 15 hours a semester. Never had spring break (always had nationals practice). She could not manage a job also but a lot of her friends on the team did bc they needed to. If your team does not compete that can be a big difference. Since you made the team I would stick it out for a year. It may seem overwhelming but our school offered academic assistance when needed and it’s a lot about time management. Good luck!
 
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