This past year at Villanova has lead me to the conclusion that I am very far away from being an independent adult. As much as I am reluctant to admit, I still rely heavily on my parents. While college has given me a second family of friends, teammates, coaches, and professors, I always find myself asking my dad for help. I do this for two reasons. One, I know he will always respond despite the 3 hour time difference. Two, he is usually right. After searching through old text messages from these last two semesters, I think I have the found the best advice from my dad.
January 21, 2019
"So proud of you! You may not see it today, but the real process isn't acceptance at a sorority based on subjectivity, but the real process is a confident, beautiful, athletic young lady growing by trying something new 3000 miles from home. I'm so proud of watching you at the beginning of life's journey, believe me, it really starts in college."
I felt like I had to join Greek life at school because everyone else was doing it. This was sent right after I told my parents I was dropping out of the rush process. I don't regret it.
March 1, 2019
"Making the Dean's list and walking on to a D1 team should give you confidence that you can do anything you put your mind to. Enjoy life's journey and savor every minute of it, someday soon you're going to realize how amazing you really are! So proud of you, and as my idol Jimi Hendrix once sang, 'Keep on pushing, straight ahead' Good luck!!"
The first two months of second semester were rough. Classes got more difficult. Morning practices became increasingly harder. I always felt I was missing out on social events because I was either studying or sleeping. I spent a lot of time calling my dad about how hard college was becoming. I received this message right after I completed winter training for rowing and I was heading into my first race of the season. I look back on this one whenever things at school become tough again, which they inevitably will.
September 7, 2018
"Wow, whatever happened to 'It ain't over till it's over'? I raised you better than that"
My dad and I are hard core Yankees fans. After the Yankees had a bad season, he reminded me that baseball is a game of high and lows. More importantly it is about being there for your team through the lowest of lows. I think this advice can be applied to a lot of different things in life: academics, relationships, future jobs. And to all of you Villanova Sox fans reading along, this year is our year.
