My first-ever college semester was very exciting. As a first-generation college student, I did not have many expectations, only nervousness. I arrived early on the Simmons University campus for Field Hockey pre-season. I was greeted instantly by a built-in family. Over some time, I’ve installed my ideals about being a tight-knit group within my teammates. Coming from Martha’s Vineyard, I was so grateful for the tight community I had at school, in sports and overall. I cultivated this same feeling for myself and the others around me at school. I fractured my fibula just about halfway through the season and this is when I realized just how well I tied together my team. My teammates showed up for me in every way they could but what meant most was when they carried my stick out for every game and placed it beside theirs. In the last game of our season I gave a speech to my team about how they impacted my college experience for the better and how they really are a family. In my speech, I led with the idea that we play for each other. This sparked an idea and we all put tape on our wrists and wrote why we play. Looking around the locker room was so heart-warming. All the girls wrote they were playing for our field hockey family. On the more academic side of things, being an NCAA athlete and STEM major was difficult to navigate initially. After getting into the groove, I found the space to learn how I wanted. I really enjoyed being in the laboratory and working hands-on with the material. Looking forward, I’m so excited to see how I can impact others around me this next semester and the next steps I can take in cultivating my education.