Looking back on four years as a 'Cat

Northwestern athletes are diverse: they hail from all parts of the world, coming to Evanston for many different reasons - and not one will have the same exact experience. Some will continue their careers after college, and others have already played their final game. But every Wildcat has one thing in common: they have had the valuable learning experience of being a student-athlete at Northwestern. We asked eight graduating student-athletes to reflect on their careers at Northwestern, giving advice to their freshman selves.

Andrea Filler | Softball

“Your lows are never as low as you think”

There’s so many things I’ve learned, just within the game itself. Your lows are never as low as you think, and your highs are never as high as you think. There’s obviously some games where you think you’re the worst ever but then you can come back and have that game where it’s like okay, I’m back where I want to be.

Alex Olah | Men’s Basketball

“Just enjoy being a Wildcat”

For one I would say to get an apartment right after your freshman year - don't wait until your sophomore year to do it. But also to enjoy every second of this … just enjoy being with your teammates. Enjoy the process of becoming better every day. Just enjoy being a Wildcat.

Caroline Niedospial | Volleyball

“Take away important lessons from each of your experiences”

Enjoy every single moment the best you can because it will all go by so incredibly fast. There will be a lot of ups and downs on your journey, but try to take away important lessons from each of your experiences. At the end of the day, you were given the opportunity of a lifetime to compete at the highest level and also receive a one-of-a-kind education. Always remember that and appreciate it. No matter how hard things get, somehow, someway, you will make it out alive.

Kaleigh Craig | Women’s Lacrosse

“Be fearless”

I would say to take advantage of any opportunity you get and be fearless. I think it’s obviously easier said than done when you’re looking back on it, but definitely just go at anything, any opportunity that you can, without any hesitation, any fear. Cause it doesn’t matter how old you are - you can be amazing as a freshman.

Deonte Gibson | Football

“Trust the process”

I would tell my freshman self to trust the process and continue to grow with every season. Even though the hardships of training and balancing that with class seems long, there is a short period of time to be great as a collegiate athlete so take advantage of it. Enjoy the ride.

Jake Stolley | Baseball

“You have to find people to help you”

You have to be able to deal with failure and learn from that … As with most students coming in here, I didn’t really struggle with grades in high school. But when I got here, I got a B- on my first chemistry test and I was like “whoa.” So just dealing with a little bit of adversity, I would want to tell myself that you’re going to struggle, you just have to deal with that. You have to find people to help you, whether it be for baseball or academics. Seek out people that can help you because there are people at Northwestern that can help you and you have to be able to accept failure. That is inevitable.

Spring Sanders | Women’s Lacrosse

“Don’t take any of it for granted”

If I could give advice to freshman Spring Sanders, I think I would tell her to just have fun and enjoy every single moment. I think being in this spot at this age, just looking back on all the years that I’ve been here and how many opportunities I’ve had with my teammates, don’t take any of it for granted. Get out there, play more wall ball, go shoot around with your friends, spend as much time with your team as possible because that’s your family.

Christian Jones | Football

“Even when you want to say no, say yes - you never know what could happen”

If I had any advice to give to myself as a freshman it would be to find the balance that works for you. Football doesn't last forever but the friends you make in college do, make sure you put effort into maintaining your friendships as well as your athletic ability. And also, be yourself, if there's one time to actually embrace who you are as a person it's when you're in college. Enjoy yourself and everyone around you. Even when you want to say no, say yes - you never know what could happen. Finally, enjoy the game and the moments it brings, both good and bad. You never enjoy everything but you'll always look back with happiness for the impressions that they had on you. And it's college, if there's any time to go out and do crazy shit, it's now.