With the help of God, you make your own success. That is something that hits you while in college. You truly realize its all up to you whether or not you'll be successful. Some bad things can happen in life, but it is how you react to those things that makes you great. Do not be afraid of today's troubles, embrace fate.

Get Better. It's something you should do everyday. Everyday I try to get better at not only football but educationally as well. Every morning I get the chance to get better at both. Study tables at 7 a.m. and then lifting at 8 a.m. The weak see it as getting up too early and doing too much. The strong see it as a chance to get better and a chance to be the best they can be. Which type of person are you?

It seems like everyone is always getting sick at school. Health is a big focus. You have to be a clean person, and understand how to avoid the cold and flu. Getting really sick can get you behind. Not only in football but more importantly school. It makes you miserable and ruins the fun of school. When in college you have to make a conscious effort to avoid picking up these viruses and staying clean.

Before college I didn't understand what it meant to make the most out of your day. For maybe the first time ever, all day everyday I seem to be keeping busy. I am constantly walking back and forth from class, the football stadium, my dorm, and the university center. There is always something you can be doing to make yourself better. Being a more productive person brings responsibility and maturity. This might be why there is such a maturity jump between high school and college. Growing up can be hard, but it is worth it.

Brotherhood is a big thing on campus. It exists inside the fraternity, inside friend groups, and it especially exists on sports teams. Reporting for practice, lifting, and a lot of other things; you are always with the other guys on the team. A very strong bond will start to form because of all the hard things you go through together. This is an added source of motivation every time you step out on the field.

Inspired Athletics

"Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that."
Bill Shankly

This quote pretty much sums up the mentality of about every college football player. If you love something you willingly persue your goals. It seems like you will do just about anything to achieve those goals. For football players, it definately exceeds life and death.

For a student athlete Monday morning is always the roughest. Last night I was finishing up homework with a significant other. The good company kept me up until almost four in the morning. I had to turn around and wake up at 6:25 for study tables and then class right after. Walking into the football stadium so early makes the  weak wonder if it is worth it. Right when those thoughts start to creep into my head, I hear bumping music in the weight room. It's the senior leaders from last year, still putting in work, at six in the morning. Instantly you realize what it takes to be great. Instantly, you are willing to put in work.