Lehigh University Athletics
From The Future: Dear First-Year Jack
7/7/2020 5:18:00 PM | Men's Tennis, Student Athlete, Flight 45, Intellectual Development
Dear First-Year Jack,
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Enjoy putting on your Lehigh jersey. As you'll learn in your career, getting to wear it is not a right; it's a privilege. You'll learn that it can be taken away at any moment, but you'll also wear it with an unrivaled joy and pride. The following are a collection of lessons and reminders for the future.
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Live in the moment
It sounds cliché, and even if it is, it's true. As an athlete and a goal-driven person, it's easy to be always planning and thinking about the future. Throughout your career at Lehigh you'll learn that success is not one big outcome, but the combination of many small outcomes. You can set lofty goals, but what is most important is to be your best and happiest self today.
Â
Weather the storm
College life is difficult and can be overwhelming. Luckily, you have people around you that you can trust. Coach Hendrix, your teammates, sports med, strength coaches and friends from other teams will be there for you in your toughest moments. Know that you can always go to them, because Lehigh Athletics is a family. You'll have highs and lows, but regardless of which you're experiencing, these people will be right by your side.
Â
You'll make mistakes
Everyone does. It's easy to dwell on them too. What is most important is to learn from them. Mistakes used correctly are what spark growth and change.Â
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Have fun
You can't go back in time. You're only a college athlete for one period of your life. You have the opportunity of a lifetime to play a sport with some of your closest friends, under a coach who is an excellent role model and person, at an elite academic and athletic institution. Represent the brown and white to the best of your ability, and have fun doing it.
Â
Do all these things, and it will be a terrific few years.
Â
Best,
An older, and hopefully wiser, Jack
Â
Â
Enjoy putting on your Lehigh jersey. As you'll learn in your career, getting to wear it is not a right; it's a privilege. You'll learn that it can be taken away at any moment, but you'll also wear it with an unrivaled joy and pride. The following are a collection of lessons and reminders for the future.
Â
Live in the moment
It sounds cliché, and even if it is, it's true. As an athlete and a goal-driven person, it's easy to be always planning and thinking about the future. Throughout your career at Lehigh you'll learn that success is not one big outcome, but the combination of many small outcomes. You can set lofty goals, but what is most important is to be your best and happiest self today.
Â
Weather the storm
College life is difficult and can be overwhelming. Luckily, you have people around you that you can trust. Coach Hendrix, your teammates, sports med, strength coaches and friends from other teams will be there for you in your toughest moments. Know that you can always go to them, because Lehigh Athletics is a family. You'll have highs and lows, but regardless of which you're experiencing, these people will be right by your side.
Â
You'll make mistakes
Everyone does. It's easy to dwell on them too. What is most important is to learn from them. Mistakes used correctly are what spark growth and change.Â
Â
Have fun
You can't go back in time. You're only a college athlete for one period of your life. You have the opportunity of a lifetime to play a sport with some of your closest friends, under a coach who is an excellent role model and person, at an elite academic and athletic institution. Represent the brown and white to the best of your ability, and have fun doing it.
Â
Do all these things, and it will be a terrific few years.
Â
Best,
An older, and hopefully wiser, Jack
Â
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