Miranda Badovinac

Soccer has always been a part of my identity. So much so, that at one point I put it above all other aspects of my life. Deciding where I wanted to go for university was supposed to be a decision that required a lot of thought and consideration, but I learned this the hard way.

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When I was looking at where I wanted to go to university, I had a one-track mind for an NCAA Division I scholarship. The second I got an offer I accepted it without getting to know the school outside of soccer. After a first year of starting almost all games, my world was turned upside-down when I was benched in my second season. Goodbye confidence, hello reality check. I was able to take a step back and question what my world would look like outside of soccer which inspired me to pursue other options that could benefit me both from an athletic AND academic standpoint.

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It felt like a hard decision in the moment to walk away from something that seemed like a goal of mine forever and it scared me that a step like this would affect the soccer identity that I branded myself with for so long. Little did I know that transferring to a USPORTS soccer program at the University of Toronto would be the best decision of my life - one that allowed me to rebuild my confidence on and off the field. 

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Since my transfer, my love for soccer has regrown and I have also gotten the opportunity to develop passions outside of my sport. Picking a university that brings out the best in you both athletically and academically is incredibly important and is something I cannot stress enough! Being an athlete will always mean the world to me and I am thrilled to be continuing my soccer career in an environment where I feel confident, successful, and well-rounded.