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An Open Letter To My Coach

She told me I could, so I did

Jennifer Wrzala

Feb 13, 2017

Harper College

431

Jennifer Wrzala

To the Woman Who Made Me Feel Like I Could Do Anything,

You will never understand how truly thankful I am that you are a part of my life. You aren't just a teacher to me. You're a friend, and you're an unforgettable human being.

When I met you, I was nervous you wouldn't want to deal with me. I may have been on the dance team, but I wasn't as good as the rest of the girls my age. It made me feel insecure that my best friends deserved solos, and I deserved to be on the sides of the formations. I always thought it would be that way for me. I thought I would always be stuck in the back, but you gave me a chance.

Ever since you started coaching us, you put so much work, time, and energy into our program. You helped it grow, you listened to us, you did everything you could to get us to perform more. Due to your hard work, we got more noticed in the school community, people started to appreciate what we did, and I couldn't have been happier to be a member of our wonderful team.

You watched me grow from the moment you met me. There was never a day where you weren't giving me feedback and telling me everything I could do to be a better dancer. You gave me the opportunities to put myself out there and try new technique and skills. You even offered me the opportunity to be a captain of your team, and I don't think you will ever understand how much that meant to me.

As a captain, I learned so much. I learned how to be a leader without being overbearing, to be organized and treat everyone fairly, and to work easily with others. Because of you, I grew as a dancer and a person, and I have some of the best memories of my life being a member of your team.

Although you have influenced me as my leader, you have also been a friend. You have seen me on my worst days, and you have been there to help me get back on my feet. You will talk through anything with me, and you always have advice to give. I know I could call you in the middle of the night in trouble, and you would help me find my way out of it.

You deserve more recognition than you receive. I hope one day you can get something to show for your immense care for others. You give up so much of yourself for the benefit of others, and that deserves recognition. You always do what is best for your students and your dancers, and I wish that more people will acknowledge that some day.

Keep being you because anyone will be lucky to cross your path. Thank you for everything you have done for me and your dancers. Thank you for building confidence in us, for treating us with respect even when we didn't deserve it, for never giving up on us, and for loving us unconditionally even when we disappointed you. Thank you for being a part of my life!

There are no words to express my gratitude.

Love,

The Girl Who Thought She Couldn't

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

Student Life

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Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

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And so it begins.

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The ultimate list and gif guide to a college student's brain during finals.

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Thanksgiving break is over and Christmas is just around the corner and that means, for most college students, one hellish thing — finals week. It's the one time of year in which the library becomes over populated and mental breakdowns are most frequent. There is no way to avoid it or a cure for the pain that it brings. All we can do is hunker down with our books, order some Dominos, and pray that it will all be over soon. Luckily, we are not alone in this suffering. To prove it, here are just a few of the many deranged thoughts that go through a college student's mind during finals week.

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I know every college student has daily thoughts throughout their day. Whether you're walking on campus or attending class, we always have thoughts running a mile a minute through our heads. We may be wondering why we even showed up to class because we'd rather be sleeping, or when the professor announces that we have a test and you have an immediate panic attack.

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An Open Letter To My Coach

She told me I could, so I did

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Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

The ultimate list and gif guide to a college student's brain during finals.

What does the world outside the library look like?

Can I read this entire book tonight?

I should have gone to class more often.

Did the professor even teach this?

What is the lowest grade I can get on this exam and still pass the class?

Should I just drop out of school now?

Finals are ruining Christmas.

Just wrote three sentences so time for a break.

Need. More. Coffee.

What is sleep?

I'm too stupid for college.

Brain hurts.

Time for a Facebook Break.

I think I'm dying.

When will I ever need this information in the real world?

I can't read any of my notes.

I need my mom.

When was the last time I showered?

I need study snacks.

The struggle is so real right now.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

24. Why is there never any parking? I pay thousands of dollars a year for one parking spot to be open.

25. When it feels like you've been in class for an hour and you look at your phone and it has only been five minutes (I'm crying on the inside).

26. When the professor asks if there are any more questions at the end of class and someone raises their hand.

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