Freshman Tiffany Malatesta on the Freshman Experience
11/20/2006 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
Nov. 20, 2006
The transition from high school to college is often a difficult and scary experience for many students to make. This transition may be even harder for student-athletes who not only have to adjust to a new academic environment, but they also have to make the adjustment from high school athletics to the competitiveness of Division IA athletics.
Tiffany Malatesta, who is a freshman swimmer of the Pitt Swimming and Diving teams, talks about how she has had to make the big transition from high school to college these past few months.
Q: What is it like to be a freshman on the team?
A: It was really hard to adjust from high school swimming to Division I swimming. I've learned a lot over the past few months about working really hard, team goals, and a lot about my teammates. I have made a lot of great friends on the swim team which has helped me adjust.
Q: How is swimming for a collegiate team different than swimming for a high school team? What are the major differences?
A: We train a lot harder, eat a lot healthier, and run a lot more. Everyone wants to be here. It's not just something that people do to keep in shape like most people did in high school. For most of us, it's a dream come true to be apart of the Pitt Swimming and Diving team.
Q: What obstacles have you had to overcome while making the transition from being a high school swimmer to a collegiate swimmer?
A: I have had to change my eating habits, and training. I have also had to get used to being away from home. My parents and friends at home support me a lot so it helps. It was also a whole new atmosphere for me; new friends, new coaches, and a new pool. It took a while for me to adjust, but I love it now.
Q: What do you like most about being on the team?
A: I love traveling to big universities like Notre Dame, and coming in with my team and doing our absolute best. We all support each other in and out of the pool. I feel like I have 50 big brothers and sisters on the team, and they are always looking out for us. I love my teammates.
Q: How have you been able to balance your time between going to class, practicing, and studying?
A: I've had to practice a lot of time management. We have morning practice three times a week, and practice in the afternoon everyday. I make sure I get my homework done at night and in study hall at the Petersen Events Center. I also make sure I give myself down time whether it involves watching TV after doing homework or getting some food with my friends. These things help manage my stress level.
Q: What have been the major differences between your college classes and high school classes?
A: We read a lot more in college classes. I also study about 10 hours more per week than I did in high school. I have to write papers, meet with people in my classes to study, or do group projects. College classes involve more thinking, rather than just memorizing facts.
Q: So far, what have you enjoyed most about college?
A: I love making new friends. The friends that I have made here so far are going to be lifetime friends. They all understand where I'm coming from, especially my teammates since we share some of the same dreams.
Q: Why did you decide to come to Pitt?
A: I felt very welcomed at Pitt. The coaching staff reminded me of family. The do not care if you are the fastest swimmer in the world. They want to know about your academics, your personality, and your ability to work well with a team. I love the traditions here at Pitt, and, obviously, the excellent education that the university offers was a big part of my decision to come here.
The Pitt Swimming and Diving teams will be hosting a Christmas Invitational from December 15, 2006 to December 17, 2007 beginning at 8am and ending at 8:30pm at Trees Pool. The Panthers resume Big East action when they take on West Virginia on Saturday, January 6th at Trees Pool. The meet begins at 11AM.
Players Mentioned
