Lehigh University Athletics
From The Future: Dear First-Year Chris
7/21/2020 2:37:00 PM | Men's Rowing, Student Athlete, Flight 45, Intellectual Development
First-Year Chris,
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First and foremost, don't worry, just make sure you keep working and you'll do fine. If you find yourself looking for more, here are a few things you should keep in mind through your next four years.
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1. Take advantage of everything you have time for, but don't be so hardheaded as to not see when it's time to respectfully bow out.
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You won't have time for everything, but you'll find that you make time for the things that are important to you. Figure out a way to make sure that the things that are important to you are also the things that will help you develop and succeed. It might've taken me a few years, but maybe you'll figure it out in just one or two (holding my thumbs). Also keep in mind that sometimes it's time to move on, and often that's a sign of what Coach Dylan calls, "leveling up". Along the same lines…
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2. Just because it's challenging doesn't mean it's worthwhile; know what to put your time and effort into.
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We just went over that time is finite, and I know you rarely need reminders. Equally important though is knowing yourself and knowing how you qualify something as 'worthwhile'. I remember coming into Lehigh thinking, "if something's hard then it must be rewarding". Oftentimes that's true, the best achievements only come through grueling hard work, but that doesn't mean every tough situation is equally rewarding. Just as time is finite, as is your daily, weekly, yearly amount of effort. Put the most effort into the most rewarding areas, seems simple enough. Finally, your effort alone won't always be enough…
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3. Don't be afraid to seek help; you'll need it.
Â
Actively open yourself up to being helped and helping others; it's a conscious decision. It's not enough to engage with a handful of people that think differently from or can help you. A great rule of thumb is that everyone has advice, and you won't know if it can help you unless you look for it, so why not do it. If any number of excuses are keeping you from asking, think about how gratifying it is to help other people. Give others that same satisfaction and get something out of it as well. All you have to do is ask.
Â
The list above may seem a bit repetitive, and that's fine. That's the point. Anyone who knows me, knows that from time-to-time, I definitely need reminders. Still and all, if you figure these few things out early, you'll be well on your way to different, more complex and more rewarding problems than I got to solve. The rest is up to you.
Â
Best,
Christopher Martensson '20
Â
Â
First and foremost, don't worry, just make sure you keep working and you'll do fine. If you find yourself looking for more, here are a few things you should keep in mind through your next four years.
Â
1. Take advantage of everything you have time for, but don't be so hardheaded as to not see when it's time to respectfully bow out.
Â
You won't have time for everything, but you'll find that you make time for the things that are important to you. Figure out a way to make sure that the things that are important to you are also the things that will help you develop and succeed. It might've taken me a few years, but maybe you'll figure it out in just one or two (holding my thumbs). Also keep in mind that sometimes it's time to move on, and often that's a sign of what Coach Dylan calls, "leveling up". Along the same lines…
Â
2. Just because it's challenging doesn't mean it's worthwhile; know what to put your time and effort into.
Â
We just went over that time is finite, and I know you rarely need reminders. Equally important though is knowing yourself and knowing how you qualify something as 'worthwhile'. I remember coming into Lehigh thinking, "if something's hard then it must be rewarding". Oftentimes that's true, the best achievements only come through grueling hard work, but that doesn't mean every tough situation is equally rewarding. Just as time is finite, as is your daily, weekly, yearly amount of effort. Put the most effort into the most rewarding areas, seems simple enough. Finally, your effort alone won't always be enough…
Â
3. Don't be afraid to seek help; you'll need it.
Â
Actively open yourself up to being helped and helping others; it's a conscious decision. It's not enough to engage with a handful of people that think differently from or can help you. A great rule of thumb is that everyone has advice, and you won't know if it can help you unless you look for it, so why not do it. If any number of excuses are keeping you from asking, think about how gratifying it is to help other people. Give others that same satisfaction and get something out of it as well. All you have to do is ask.
Â
The list above may seem a bit repetitive, and that's fine. That's the point. Anyone who knows me, knows that from time-to-time, I definitely need reminders. Still and all, if you figure these few things out early, you'll be well on your way to different, more complex and more rewarding problems than I got to solve. The rest is up to you.
Â
Best,
Christopher Martensson '20
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Players Mentioned
/ Men's Rowing
Undergraduate Commencement
Sunday, May 17
Graduate Commencement and Doctoral Hooding
Saturday, May 16
2026 Convocation Awards Ceremony
Thursday, May 07
2025-2026 Top Moments
Thursday, May 07
