Hey there Senior Athlete,

Can you believe it? This is your last season as a high school athlete. This is your senior season. It is your chance to be a leader for your team, to set an example for the younger players. Not only is this your last season, its your last first game, last first day of practice, last time you’ll have a student section cheering you on, and the last time you will be playing with some of your best friends. If you are any thing like me then you have more than likely played with the same group of people since you stepped foot on that field, court, or in that pool. These people have not only become your best friends but they have become a second family to you. These are the people that have endured the most amazing wins, heartbreaking losses, and what seemed to be never-ending practices with you. And soon enough, these will all be just memories that you have collected over time. The team bonding dinners, pre-game talks, picking music to come out too, it will soon be all over. And if I can promise you one thing it is that it will not be easy.

It will not be easy to leave behind all of the precious memories that you have made while playing that sport, and wearing that jersey. It will not be easy to walk off that court/field knowing that the next time you step foot on it, you will be someone who used to play there. It will not be easy to watch a sport you loved to play so much become just a memory. None of it will not be easy at all. But as a college freshman who has been through it, here is my advice to you: enjoy every moment possible. Never turn down an opportunity to hang out with your teammates even if it is just for a couple minutes. Enjoy all of the late nights spent in the gym perfecting your form or just trying to be better. Even try to enjoy the practices where it feels like all you have done is run. It wont matter in the long run if your team won every game or lost every game, just be sure you don’t take a game for granted.

This last season will go by in the blink of an eye. So take my advice, and enjoy it while you can because as the saying goes, "all good things must come to an end."

Sincerely,

The Girl Who Wishes She Could Go Back