SAMANTHA HURLEY
RADFORD
Everything in your first semester/year is new. Have patience with yourself as you learn and adjust. You must work harder than you probably have up to this point, but you can do it — a lot of people believe in you. There will be hard days, but you will get back up and become stronger. Lean on your teammates! They are more than the person you pass to on the field. Use your resources … You have more than you may think, so ASK! You are where you are for a reason. You have proven yourself to be at the next level athletically and academically so don’t take it for granted or wait for tomorrow. Four years is not a long time as you just experienced with high school. Be grateful … make every opportunity a chance to get better and better yourself. Enjoy the team and the sport while you can, and if you do, you’ll never lose it.
BARB JORDAN
GETTYSBURG
Give your team your best effort, energy, and enthusiasm each day, pay attention to the details, and learn from EVERYONE around you … Enjoy every moment!
Honestly, and I know you don’t believe it now, but before you know it you will be entering your senior year wondering where the time went. Enjoy the little moments, like decorating your dorm room for the first time, meeting your teammates who will ultimately become your best friends long after you are handed that diploma, and dreaming of your future. These moments will fly by, so always remember to take time for yourself and support each other (always).
BROOKE EUBANKS
CAL BERKELEY
Congratulations! You made it and you deserve to be here. Your journey through college won’t be easy and it might look a little different than you planned. You are in a space to learn, grow, take risks, and fail. Push yourself to try new things, meet new people and step beyond what you thought you were capable of. It’s important to stay flexible when unexpected things come your way because this will build overall resiliency. Your coaches, athletic department, professors, and campus staff are all here to help you with the transition to college. There are important resources to help you develop strategies to thrive during your time as a student-athlete. Take the time to listen, learn and ASK for help when needed. Most people want you to succeed and just need to know what you require. If you don’t know what you need, but you feel off, that’s OK — speak up and someone will point you in the right direction. Think about your vision for how you want your freshman year to go and put that vision into action. Enjoy the journey and work hard.
CLARE SHORT
QUEENS (N.C.)
These are going to be the best four years of your life. It might’ve been a different journey than you expected, but it will be an even better result than expected. These years aren’t given, they are granted to those who dedicate, sacrifice, and persevere. The expectations of college you have in your mind won’t even come close to reality. You will gain a family that you’ll have for life. But, remember that family got you to this point. Your parents, siblings, teammates, and coaches have also dedicated, sacrificed, and persevered … for you. You’re worth it. This journey was worth it. Make these next four years worth it.
SARAH KELLNER
REGIS
Bring your light and don’t be afraid to shine! Being true to your core values and bringing yourSELF to your team will enrich your own experience, as well as that of your new teammates and coaches. This is an opportunity that you have earned. Continue to work hard, embrace new challenges, and allow yourself to fail forward. It should be FUN. Lacrosse is a gift, given to you to enjoy. You get to play a beautiful game, make the most of it and enjoy the ride!
JESSICA ANTELMI
COLGATE
What a journey you’ve taken to get to this point. Hard work, sacrifices, joy, and uncertainties. But here you are. You made it, ready to write the next chapter in your book. Know that this journey will be more challenging and more rewarding than anything you’ve experienced yet. Know that you will make mistakes (quite a few of them), and IT’S OK! Learn from them and move forward. Know that you will have hard days. Lean on your circle — teammates, friends, advisors, coaches. Know that you will find some of the highest highs with those same people. Soak them all in, and don’t take a single one of them for granted. And, although it may not feel like it right now, as you sit in your dorm room, overwhelmed and missing home, trying to figure out how in the world you’re going to attend all your classes, finish your homework that’s due tomorrow, go to practice and lift, and still have time to eat and sleep … Know that you will find your way.
RAINEY WHITWORTH
SOUTHERN VIRGINIA
One of the best, most memorable years in your college experience is your first one. It is a whirlwind of new faces, finding balance, managing your time, but within the chaos, it is a lot of fun. To maximize your first semester, figure out your flow. Explore what daily routine makes you feel your best. What environment do you study best in? What makes you feel most productive? Set yourself up for success by getting organized. Write down academic assignments, due dates, and be present in your classes by taking good notes throughout. Prioritize yourself! Get outside, get good sleep, and make time to exercise. Choose to be all in and embrace this time as a freshman. Be an active participant on campus, put yourself out there by attending social events and introducing yourself. Growth comes from stretching yourself and navigating challenges. Choose to be where your feet are and make this special time a great experience!
B.J. JOHNSON
KEAN
Get involved! Each university is filled with diverse people with different interests and skills. Get outside and experience your WHOLE campus. Staying in your team or athletic department bubble is easy. Your school offers so much more than just athletics … get out there and see EVERYTHING your school has to offer!