Notes From the Field: Freshmen, You Belong

 

Erin Matson is a Tar Heel, world-class athlete, team player and champion. Here, in “Notes From the Field,” she’ll be sharing some of her thoughts in an ongoing series set to cover anything and everything on her mind. You can find the full series so far here, on Chapelboro.

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I’m a Fifth-Year. BLEH! Since when?! That sentence is gross.

Where did my pitch-black hair go? Who has my twin XL mattress topper from my dorm room? December Commencement? Never heard of her.

This past weekend was weird. Seeing cheerful faces lug their storage bins and mini fridges down Stadium Drive towards Avery Residence Hall had all of us UNCFH upperclassmen in our feels. (Sending prayers to those climbing to the 4th floor of Avery; you’ll never take an elevator for granted again.)

You’re sweaty after just the first trip from the car. Your biceps are tired from doing an iso-hold, trying to carry as much as you can at once. You’ve probably already made a sassy remark to your mom or dad because you “just want to be settled in already.” (Don’t worry, you’ll apologize later and then all laugh about that sassy remark once the wall décor is up and you take the family selfie in front of your dorm-room-masterpiece.)

But then … dun dun duuunnn … it’s time to meet the roommate.

First impressions are everything, and they can be nerve racking as hell. What if our personalities don’t gel? How will I know what they really think? Should I go in for a handshake or a hug?

Being a Freshman is daunting, in so many ways. Being new to anything is!

All of the sudden you have to find your way around a new town, acclimate to a very different class and life schedule compared to high school, discover new friends while also discovering new parts of yourself, and be apart from your family for the longest chunk of time probably ever.

Also, just for fun, let’s throw being a student-athlete and constantly representing the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on the field, in the classroom, walking down Franklin Street, and doing just about anything. The jersey doesn’t come off, people. Sometimes that’s forgotten.

Being a Freshman student-athlete at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is daunting.

You’ll enter the locker room with numerous pairs of foreign eyes staring back at you, waiting for their first impression to be made. Then, you have another one to make out on the field. This time, with the entire coaching staff watching too.

You’ll feel more eyes on you as you walk through the Quad to get to class. I guess head-to-toe Carolina with a sporty-lookin backpack, GGB, and dried sweat from practice screams “ATHLETE”. Who knew? 

Speaking of practice, some will leave you feeling on top of the world, and others will make you question if you can do it. Silence those – you can. 

You won’t be the first Freshman to get lost trying to find all of the athletic and academic buildings. Just give yourself enough time. If you’re on time, you’re late. (Thanks for that one Coach Shelton.) You’ll learn the ropes in no time and surprise yourself. (Or you’ll stay directionally-challenged like me and rely on your GPS to get anywhere. Regardless, you’ll learn what you need.)

Listen to your coaches when they advise you to sit in the front of the classroom. The back isn’t any more exciting. You also will get a “bad grade.” It sucks! Eventually, you’ll learn how to avoid that as much as possible. But when it does happen, how will you respond?

Don’t let any of this be daunting. It’s a privilege. Imagine how proud, excited, and amazed your younger self would be. Live in the moment, and don’t lose sight of everything you’ve done to get here. Attack each day and situation that comes your way. Because it’s just that – yours to conquer.

There will be sunny days, and there will be rainy days. There even will be scattered thunderstorms followed by the most beautiful rainbows. You’ll experience it all as you’re meant to.

You came to UNC because you have aspirations that set you apart – on the field and in the classroom. Because there is no other school that gives you life tools in such a way to make your dreams seem like they could be your reality. Because since you were little, you’ve proven you can handle things other kids can’t since “coasting” isn’t in your vocabulary. 

You want to be the best at something. UNC hears you.

Use your resources. Don’t be afraid to sound stupid – ask the questions. Lean on those around you, especially your teammates and closest friends. Encourage one another. Lead by example. Check in on each other. Above all, jump in.

Embrace every second of these crazy magnificent years because – I don’t care how many times you’ve heard this – there really is nothing like them. 

Freshmen, you are here for a reason.

Freshmen, you belong.

Everyone else, make sure they never second-guess it.

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