Skydiving

My First Skydive

                I will never forget the uneasy feeling that occupied my stomach as that small plane as it climbed to altitude. That was the only time where I had any doubts in my ability to make the jump.  When it came time to exit the plane I knew that there was only one way down, and it wasn’t riding in an airplane. 

                I chose to take skydiving because it is my last semester at Ohio State, and I wanted to go out with a bang. In 4 years I have never taken a class that was just for fun. Skydiving met the qualifications for the perfect graduating semester fun class.  It was a unique opportunity, it was something I could scratch off my bucket-list, and it was something that could teach me valuable lessons. Of course, all of these great thoughts were formulated before learning we were AFF jumping, and it would not be tandem.  Though this came as surprise, there was no turning back.  By the end of the class training and training at the site I felt prepared to make the leap.

                When it was my turn to suit up the nerves kicked in, and I started to really think about what I was about to do.  None of those feelings mattered much because I was determined not to fail.  My instructors, two well qualified and handsome gentlemen, were crucial for keeping me focused on the goal.  Then it was time to board the plane. The ride up was the hardest part.  It was not the heights that bothered me.  It was knowing that I would be responsible for making it to the ground again in one piece.  Next thing I know, I am watching the rest of the passengers on the plane exit and fall into the sky.  And finally was the moment I had been waiting for over a year.  The actual leap out was a relief. I made it out of the plane and was in free-fall  The entire time I am doing my checks, trying to stabilize my arms and legs, and smile for the camera I am thinking “why did I think this was a good idea?!”  It was cold and I couldn’t keep my mouth closed because of the wind rushing against my body.  My arms and legs seemed like a lost cause.  They didn’t stay in any position I was trying to put them in.  I looked at my altimeter at 5,000 ft and thought “Crap, it’s past time”.  I pulled my shoot and shot into the air.  I looked up to see a perfectly inflated parachute and breathed a sigh of relief.  And there I was, 4,000 ft in the air, just floating around.  It seems like a serene picture, but my heart was racing as I recovered from sensation of free-fall and adjusted to the feeling of floating high above the ground.  I remember noticing how quiet it is up there.  When it came time to land, I was ready to be on the ground.  Apparently that was the dominating mentality in my brain because I tuned out to my instructor’s instructions and ended in a rough landing.  My first thought upon reaching the ground was “I did it.”

                The whole experience was a lot to take in. My body had never felt pressure like that before and my brain did not know what to make of the purposeful placement into danger.  My reaction initially was that the experience was not what I had imagined, and I did not like it.  But after about 20 minutes I changed my mind.  I felt great. I was full of adrenaline and excitement. It was like brain was unable to process the whole experience right away, but after some time to recover it was an awesome rush.  I told my mom that day that I would be back to do my 25 jumps and get licensed as a skydiver.  Now it has been a few weeks since my life defying leap.  It is hard to remember exactly how I felt in the air, but the feelings about skydiving I formulated upon landing still stand. 

My reflection on skydiving is based on what I learned.  I learned that I am a risk taker. I knew that before I signed up for the class, but I was able to reinforce that this is a true characteristic of my personality.  I learned that once you set your mind to do something, nothing can stop you from achieving that goal.  If you are determined, and it is important to you that you succeed, the chance of failure of slim to none.  I learned that preparation wont ensure that you do everything perfect, but it will ensure that you can succeed well enough.  I have used these lessons in my day to day life.  I have brought this experience up in several interviews.  I use it to drive the point I am serious and I am successful, and employers are always impressed.  I would recommend this experience to anyone who thinks they have the power to achieve anything they believe is possible.