From The Future: Dear First-Year Stacie...

Dear First-Year Stacie,

Welcome to Lehigh, baby Mountain Hawk! You're probably nothing short of excited right now and I don't blame you. You have a fantastic four years ahead of you! Lehigh is going to catapult you to places you never thought were possible, but also challenge you to change your ways to reach optimal results. I know you're not afraid to tackle the challenges you're going to face, but just know that this journey isn't going to be perfect. You have no idea what you're doing now, but that's okay, because you still won't have any idea what you want to do well into senior year. But, in true fashion, you'll figure it out with a stressful amount of time to spare!

As an old almost-college graduate, I want to impart some wisdom (shockingly, I have some of that!) on you that I hope will stick with you as you begin this truly unique experience. Buckle up, and try not to blink!

Trust Coach Deb. You already knew coming in that she's Queen Deb, but at times you'll be on a run or doing a workout and you'll think "why on Earth is she subjecting me to this amount of torture?" Trust me now, it'll help you. She knows exactly what she's doing and how to train you. When your legs are feeling like absolute garbage and you're tired all the time and you want to cry with every step you take, just know that you're supposed to feel like that. Blind trust is sometimes the only thing that'll get you through. It'll all pay off when you're running super fast.
Relax, you head case. Your college running career is going to be different in every way from high school. Stop stressing over the little things and the superstitions that distract you from focusing on actually competing. Take a mental step back and just run.
Lean on your friends and teammates. You're going to meet some really incredible people here. Your teammates and roommates are going to drag you through a couple pretty difficult events in your college career (no, I'm not going to give it away because you're going to become a stronger person having endured these obstacles), but they're also going to help you create your favorite memories. They'll be with you through the grass track workouts, the cycle workouts, and the long tempo runs (you'll find out soon). They'll celebrate with you, cry with you, and fight anyone who tries to hurt you. You're going to find such an empowering, influential group of women. Not to be dramatic or anything, but they're going to change your life and you're probably going to cry a million times when you realize you're going to have to leave them.
Take advantage of all the opportunities given to you. You're going to have a lot of opportunities in the leadership academy and on campus. TAKE THEM. You're going to have fun, learn a few things, meet new people, and most importantly, break out of your comfort zone.
You're not going to please everyone. You're going to waste a ton of time and energy if you focus on pleasing every single person when you make a decision. It is virtually impossible to make every single person happy, so don't take it personally if someone doesn't fully agree with your decision.
But, take criticism gracefully and learn how to make changes to become a more effective leader, teammate, and person. This will help you change the tide of the team and create a far more productive environment. It'll also humble you, and we all know you need that! Change is uncomfortable, but it's for the better.
Have FUN and say yes more often. There four years are short and fast, and you're going to remember the time you drove to Kentucky for NCAAs or surprised your family for Easter, not the seventh unproductive hour you spent in the library.
Speaking of the library, GO TO IT. You need it.
You're going to be fine. Amidst the hard training blocs, 18 or 19 credit schedules, team conflicts and other issues, it can be really difficult to see that you're going to be okay and that things will work out. Put blind trust in the fact that you can and will get through whatever is stressing you out.
Lastly, and I cannot stress this enough, STOP PROCRASTINATING. Just because you will finish your assignments at the last second doesn't mean you should. You're probably going to procrastinate anyway, but at least try and make an effort not to, okay? Promise? Please?

Now that I've given you the world's best advice, go out there, make some friends and memories, and have the time of your life. You are so lucky to have found your home away from home (thanks for all the support, Mom and Dad!) and I have no doubt that you're going to make the most of it. In the words of Coach Herb Brooks, "this is your time. Now go out there and take it." Have fun, first-year Stacie!

Sincerely,
Senior Stacie

Lehigh University Athletics

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