Hello My UVic World,

The other day I was at a cafe reading when I couldn’t help but overhear a conversation taking place in front of me. Obviously I tried to ignore it, but given the circumstances it proved more difficult than not to tune in.

A woman was sitting with a young girl who I later found out was 15, talking to her about her soccer playing, future post-secondary plans and life in general. It was a very intense and deep conversation, one not that different to many I’ve had with my own parents and mentors in my life, but this particular one had a very different tone to it than what I have experienced.

She was telling this clearly continually disheartened and crushed young girl that she was not good enough to pursue soccer at a higher level, that she would not want her as her teammate on a team because she is lazy, that she needed more training, and that she could pursue soccer socially in University.

This young girl, would take this all in, nod in agreement and move onto the next bit of her plans before that being shut down.

Watching and hearing how negative and pejorative the conversation was towards this young girl. I desperately wanted to interject but didn’t have the courage in the moment and also didn’t feel as if it were my place. So instead, here’s my interjection and advice to any young individual looking to the future, or about to enter University.

Do whatever your little heart pleases.

Don’t let others put words into your mouth and in turn limit what you can achieve. There is a difference between honesty and constructive criticism and shutting ideas and dreams down before they even have the chance to come to life.

Find your potential. Try.

One of the most beautiful things about going to University, especially in your first year, is that everyone is in the same boat.

You are all starting fresh, with a clean slate.

You have the wonderful opportunity of meeting many new people you would never have otherwise through residence, classes, common rooms, the library, the gym, varsity teams, intramurals, clubs. I could go on for a while but I think you get the point.

“You’re inexperienced, you’ve only been playing for a couple of years”

So? If you want to go try out for the soccer team, go out and try. Whatever team you want to try out for. Do it. Yes, it might be terrifying, and scary. But what’s the harm in giving it a try?

You will be welcomed by individuals who have gone through the same experiences and the exact same thoughts and feelings you are experiencing. The fear of the unknown. Before you know it, you may have a brand new team who will support you, another family. A home away from home.

This doesn’t just apply to varsity sports, it could be walking up to join a club, volunteering, joining sports socially, who knows what it is that you’ve set your goals out to be. But follow your dream and that vision you have for yourself.

Don’t sell yourself short.

Go for it.

-Jess