University of Richmond Athletics
Spider Voices: Letter To My Younger Self
12/18/2018 | Women's Soccer, Spider Voices
Senior Mackenzie Cox writes a letter to her younger self following the completion of her Spider Soccer career.
Dear 18-year-old Mackenzie,
It's May, 2015. Your graduation day is close and the real world doesn't seem so far away anymore. High school was a breeze, and you can't wait for the new challenges that college will bring. In just a few months you will be playing Division I soccer—a childhood dream that you finally achieved. In fact, at the time, committing to play soccer seemed to be the biggest decision you'd ever have to make. However, in the next few years, many things will change.
Although you were feeling uncertain about the college that you chose at first, your career at Richmond will be full of odd, exciting, life-long memories that you will never forget. You will spend what seems like all of your time playing the game that you love, with a team that will quickly evolve into a family. But above all, you will learn skills through experiences in the classroom, on the field, and with your friends that will set you up for success for the rest of your life. I can promise you one thing for sure, Mackenzie: Richmond was the right place.
It will all get done:
Your first semester freshman year, one of your coaches will teach you an important lesson that will apply to many aspects of your life outside of soccer. Regardless of how stressed and busy you feel, remember to take a step back and trust that any task will get done—whenever it gets done. You will quickly learn to control what you can control and the rest will follow.
Be true to yourself:
College is a time for everyone to grow and to learn about themselves. Try new things, learn from your experiences, and be an example for others. Be an advocate for your friends, teammates, and for yourself. Most importantly, don't lose sight of who you are and who you want to be.
There's more to life than soccer:
Although it will always be part of you after being a focus for over 15 years, soccer will become a part of your past by November 2018. The four busy years of fitness, weight lifting, film, meetings, practices, and games will slowly fade together. You'll find that instead, you'll remember the great wins, the heartbreaking losses, the away trips, and the incredible times with your roommates, teammates, and friends. When things seem especially intense and stressful, remember to zoom out and keep the future in perspective.
Don't rush:
Many people say that college was the best four years of their lives. Unfortunately, the next four years at Richmond will go by just as fast as everyone warns you they will. Be intentional about taking advantage of every opportunity that UR has to offer, even if it seems to be out of your comfort zone. Your relationships with coaches, professors, faculty members will be extremely beneficial for the future and you are incredibly lucky to be a part of such a supportive community! Lastly, appreciate every single day at Richmond, and make as many memories with your teammates and friends as possible before adulthood actually hits.
Dear 18-year-old Mackenzie,
It's May, 2015. Your graduation day is close and the real world doesn't seem so far away anymore. High school was a breeze, and you can't wait for the new challenges that college will bring. In just a few months you will be playing Division I soccer—a childhood dream that you finally achieved. In fact, at the time, committing to play soccer seemed to be the biggest decision you'd ever have to make. However, in the next few years, many things will change.
Although you were feeling uncertain about the college that you chose at first, your career at Richmond will be full of odd, exciting, life-long memories that you will never forget. You will spend what seems like all of your time playing the game that you love, with a team that will quickly evolve into a family. But above all, you will learn skills through experiences in the classroom, on the field, and with your friends that will set you up for success for the rest of your life. I can promise you one thing for sure, Mackenzie: Richmond was the right place.
It will all get done:
Your first semester freshman year, one of your coaches will teach you an important lesson that will apply to many aspects of your life outside of soccer. Regardless of how stressed and busy you feel, remember to take a step back and trust that any task will get done—whenever it gets done. You will quickly learn to control what you can control and the rest will follow.
Be true to yourself:
College is a time for everyone to grow and to learn about themselves. Try new things, learn from your experiences, and be an example for others. Be an advocate for your friends, teammates, and for yourself. Most importantly, don't lose sight of who you are and who you want to be.
There's more to life than soccer:
Although it will always be part of you after being a focus for over 15 years, soccer will become a part of your past by November 2018. The four busy years of fitness, weight lifting, film, meetings, practices, and games will slowly fade together. You'll find that instead, you'll remember the great wins, the heartbreaking losses, the away trips, and the incredible times with your roommates, teammates, and friends. When things seem especially intense and stressful, remember to zoom out and keep the future in perspective.
Don't rush:
Many people say that college was the best four years of their lives. Unfortunately, the next four years at Richmond will go by just as fast as everyone warns you they will. Be intentional about taking advantage of every opportunity that UR has to offer, even if it seems to be out of your comfort zone. Your relationships with coaches, professors, faculty members will be extremely beneficial for the future and you are incredibly lucky to be a part of such a supportive community! Lastly, appreciate every single day at Richmond, and make as many memories with your teammates and friends as possible before adulthood actually hits.
Players Mentioned
D/M
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