By Sebastiana Lopez
Goals
As a student-athlete, my goals are always a priority. In order to reach them, there are tasks and short-term goals that I have to complete in order to accomplish my bigger goals. As a junior in high school, my mind is set to adapt and thrive in what I do as my responsibilities pile up. Whether in school studying for midterms, or starting my search for colleges, or leading rowers at the Queens Boathouse, my tasks matter.
One of my ultimate goals is to attend college, but not just any college. I want to learn in an environment where I feel comfortable, joyous, and safe. Also, I want to live in a place where I can build relationships equivalent to the ones I made at Row New York, especially at the Queens Boathouse.
After my years of experience and knowledge as a coxswain, I have decided to cox on a college team. Therefore, when Row New York offered an opportunity to attend a college trip to Lehigh University and Lafayette College, I figured that I should definitely travel with my teammates and coaches to explore my options and educate myself about the schools.
Visiting Lafayette College
While trying to shield my glasses from raindrops, I stepped in puddles on the way to Lafayette College’s boathouse. I was very excited and curious about the area surrounding the college. After wiping my glasses, I opened my eyes and saw exactly what I expected: shells and a river. The vibe in the boathouse was welcoming. I scanned the environment and observed that their equipment was very organized. This stood out to me because it showed me that the crew has respect for their equipment.
My teammates and I gathered inside the bay for a quick information session with the Lafayette coaches, where I learned various things. For one, I was introduced to the expectations and requirements of the team. Secondly, I learned that at Lafayette, the student-athletes and coaches prioritize the students’ school work. After the session, I took two steps forward and saw that the cox boxes were charging and neatly organized. Seeing this made me happily imagine how easily the coxswains can grab their equipment on their way to the river.
The campus itself was sizable and very pretty. College students were roaming around trying to rush as the raindrops got heavier and heavier. A welcoming environment, check!
Visiting Lehigh University
Our second destination was Lehigh University where we were scheduled to meet at a gymnasium. The coach at Lehigh was stern and direct. He informed us that rowing at Lehigh was very competitive and hands-on. The requirements and expectations from the coach were quite rigorous which showed me that team was in fact very competitive. I left the room speechless, thinking about the information that I just learned about the team’s objectives and the recruiting process. Afterward, walking around campus felt like walking around a mesmerizing castle.
Visiting Colleges in the Future
My college visit to Lafayette College and Lehigh University is memorable and it has pushed me to explore more colleges. I liked the visit because it opened my eyes to the importance of college tours. Now I know they are a necessity. My goal to start to visit colleges is checked off of my list, but I definitely need to visit more colleges and universities.
