Ah, yes — the infamous college question many seniors cringe when asked: “So, kiddo, college is almost over,” (insert elbow nudge and eye wink here). “Any big plans?”

Except in your head, it sounded a little more like this: “Congratulations! The best four years of your life are over! Woo! The real world has lurked its nasty smirk and it’s time for you to suit up kid! Any Big Plans??”

Any Big Plans? These “Big Plans” can take a back seat to the “Big Games,” and for a Division I softball player, finding the balance between our softball schedule (aka our life) and the six-figure job offer I dreamt about last night can be, well, a bit of a challenge.

Leigh Ann Savidge, softball alum and programs assistant for the athletic department, knew that staying in athletics was a part of her big plan after she graduated.

“In order to achieve this,” Savidge said, “I saw the importance of taking advantage of opportunities around the athletics department.”

Savidge understood she could not sit and wait for people to approach her; she had to go out and find them.

OK, great idea. Let’s find some people. Where to start, where to start…

How about the athletic department, which goes to great lengths to provide for student-athletes, from organizations and clubs, to internships and even grad assistant programs. For the athlete with no time during the day, the department takes great time to ensure that student-athletes can do more than go to class and practice. Now if they can only find an extra hour in the day…

For four years, our college life has consisted of 16 credits worth of classes and over 16 hours worth of practices and games per week, plus time in the weight room. And add time traveling. We rush to our 8:30’s drained and dripping from ice bags after a 7 a.m. workout (three cheers for the smelly kid in the corner!) and manage to get through the day until our last class lets out at 9 p.m.

Time management? Yup, got that covered.

“Being a student-athlete prepares you for the real world,” said Jennifer Richardson, BU athletic development assistant, who learned these and other skills during her softball career.

Though Richardson did not begin working for Binghamton directly after graduation, she established relationships within the department while she was a student-athlete. These connections propelled her into the seat she controls today; her plan has flourished into her reality.

Soon, I’ll be closing my last textbook and walking out of Lecture Hall One for the last time. I’ll throw the ball around the outfield, take a few grounders and step into the box for my final at-bat. The day will come to put on the little cap and oversized gown, and take my place among my graduating class. I’ll fake a smile as my teary-eyed mother snaps a final picture — the same one that’ll share a frame with the picture of me my freshman year at my very first Division I softball game. The camera will flash on, then off. Lights out — the 7th inning will come to an end and I’ll unlace my cleats for the last time.

But if I start preparing for the “Big Plan” today, my Big Game will have only just begun.