Lehigh University Athletics
From the Future: Dear Freshman Ben...
5/1/2015 11:19:00 AM | Student Athlete
Dear Freshman Ben,
You are about to embark on a life changing experience. Treasure and learn from every failure and triumph that you experience because these next four years will pass by in a flash. There are many great challenges that lie ahead, which will develop you as a person and define what you truly represent.
To begin with, don't be so worried about meeting new people and trying to make friends. You did fine in high school and will figure it out in the college setting. Take advantage of all of the opportunities to get to know new people through the P.R.I.D.E. Program. You will make some special friends along the way. As for finding a group of people to fit in with, look no further than your track and field event group. There are so many people who are willing to help you transition into college, all you need to do is ask for help.
Now for academics. Be prepared to struggle through Calc 1. Even though you took calculus in high school, college calculus will still seem like a foreign language to you initially. However, do not let that deter you from being an engineer. You will eventually get a hold of the material, after many, many, many hours spent getting extra help in your professor's office hours. This first real class struggle will set the tone for how you need to prepare for the difficult engineering classes that will soon come in your sophomore year.
Some of the most exciting experiences you will have in college will come from athletics.Dream big and never let anyone avert you from a goal that you truly believe you can achieve. Over the four years here at Lehigh you will have three different event coaches. Do not let this affect your performance. Instead, learn the most you can from each coach in the limited time that you will have with them. This will teach you that you can not worry about things that are out of your control, but instead focus on what you can control. Remember this especially when you get injured. Do not waste time feeling bad for yourself. Instead, put in every extra second you have into rehabbing to ensure that you can get back out there as soon as possible and remain healthy.
While you are at Lehigh, you will be invited to take part in athletic department's Emerging Leaders program, as well as the Legacies program. Even though these programs may seem intimidating at first, do not hesitate to sign up for them. They will help you better understand what kind of person you are. This will help you build off of your strengths and work on your weaknesses. Things will not always go perfectly, but you will acquire the tools necessary to handle adversity, and at the end of the day, allow you to succeed.
In conclusion, Lehigh will mold you into a well rounded person, which will challenge you in the classroom, the social environment, and the athletic setting. Stay true to who you are. You have made it this far for a reason, and will continue to move in the right direction in the future. Remember to thank all of the people who will impact your life these four years and contribute to your success. Some of them you will be lucky enough to call your lifetime friends.
Yours Truly,
Senior Benjamin Beauchamp
