My name is Christian Jaimes, and I am a sophomore men’s basketball player at the University of Dubuque. I am originally from Grayslake, Illinois, and my major is Business. After my first year at UD, I’ve learned even more about how important it is to take care of both my mental and physical health. Being a student-athlete comes with a lot of responsibilities, and finding a good balance between school, basketball, and everyday life has helped me grow both as an athlete and as a person.
I started playing basketball when I was a little kid, and over the years I’ve learned that preparation is a huge part of being successful in the sport. Physical health gives me the energy, strength, and endurance I need to compete while mental health helps me stay focused and motivated. My first year of college basketball taught me that things don’t always go perfectly. There are going to be bad games, mistakes, injuries, and days when I don’t feel like I’m playing my best. It’s easy to get frustrated with myself in those moments but learning how to move on and keep working has helped me become more mentally strong.
I’ve also realized that mental and physical health are closely connected. When I’m stressed, tired, or distracted, it can affect the way I play and how I approach school. At the same time when I’m physically exhausted or not taking care of my body, it can affect my mood and motivation. Taking care of both sides has become an important part of being successful for me.
Going into my sophomore year, I want to continue improving not only as a basketball player, but also as a student and a person. My first year at UD taught me a lot about myself and I’m excited to take what I learned and continue growing. I know keeping myself healthy mentally and physically will help me make the most out of my time at UD.
