18 years of my life and I have countless of advice whether it be from mentors, counselors, family or people passing by in my life. And honestly, I can say half of the advice I've been given throughout these years I've never really paid attention to or really cared for this advice. I can't sit here and pick through the countless words of advice given choosing my favorite or the one's that have stuck with me. I think I've listened and taken to heart more advice from outsiders than from my family. Which you'd think me being in high school, only a child, I'd listen to my parents more than most. That definitely was not the case.
My mentor back in high school was the head athletic trainer. He was the only one who really believed in me with what I wanted to do with my life and continue what I believed could be my potential career. He believed I could do it, since me being the top seniors on the sports med team who wanted to continue on with sports medicine. He sat me down and told me out of the 15 kids we had on the team, he saw the passion I had for wanting to learn more and said I should follow my plan and look for colleges out of state that meets my needs for my future. He out of everyone in my life saw the possible potential I had for this career. My parents had no idea what I was doing on the sidelines on those Friday nights. They thought I was just hanging out with a bunch of boys. They didn't see the possible potential career for me like my mentor did. I've never worked so hard then I did in that atheltic training room to prove to everyone I deserved my spot to work Varsity and prove my worthiness to wear that polo. Still to this day, my parents don't understand what athletic training is for me and what it has done for my future. I thank my mentor every time I see him, for pointing me in the right direction and making me proud in what I do. 
So I was on Facebook the other day and with it being the first week of November, in high school that would mean soccer tryouts the first Monday through Wednesday. The best four weeks on my life was that first week of November. Anyways, on Facebook it has that new feature "On This Day" and it shows you what you posted and who you became friends with last year or however long ago. And one in particular reminded me of so much.
"Congrats to the girls that made Vasrsity. You deserve it." -November 7th
Junior year I was so sure I was going to make Varsity. I worked my ass off for the past two months to get in shape for these three days. Coach pulled me and another girl that I played JV with since freshmen year off to the side saying we had a high chance of making Varsity. Thursday, I had so many thoughts in my mind thinking I made it. Thanks to my boyfriend at the time, he knew I made it and deserved this spot more than anyone. Walking up to those locker room doors that cold morning, I was shaking with adrenaline. Not seeing my name on the Varsity list I walked away back to my boyfriend. I didn't know what else to do other than cry. That day was the worst I've ever experienced. All I remember was my boyfriend trying to calm me down and cheer me up. I felt so useless knowing I could've done better and I didn't.
My boyfriend knew what I was going through for he went through the same thing with football the week before. So he just said, "Next year, I'll be right here by your side when you make Varsity but for now, go out there and make Cobos regret not putting you on that roster." And that's exactly what I did. JV didn't have the best record that year but I felt we had the potential. I was awarded captain for the season. At the award ceremony, I was awarded "Offensive MVP". Cobos was surprised seeing the improvement and said she was proud of what I've become. Before every practice and game Junior and Senior year, his words played through my head that made me better, faster and stronger.
Still to this day, being my ex, he's still one of my good friends. For those saying it's impossible being friends with your ex, it's not. Anyways, the next two years of my soccer career, those words stuck with me and helped me through everything. Now when it came to school, no one warned me for the long nights of studying, the possible chances of getting a scholarship for grades, nothing. I mean I blame myself for that. I didn't ask enough questions. According to the article "Advice for Newer Students From Those Who Know(Older Students)" ask as man questions as you want. Look for the help you need. College provides more than enough resources for you to succeed. The one important piece I took was that you don't need to know everything. Honestly, as a freshmen in college we believe you need to go into the first day of class knowing the entire class objective for the entire semester. If I would've read this article a bit sooner, my life would've been so much easier the first semester.
These are just two of the numerous advice I've received in the past 18 years. I can sit here and tell you each and every single one but not everyone has the time to read or care. For these two individuals to help me and show me what matters in life and what not means everything to me. I still remember how happy both of them were when I told them I had a potential intership with Arizona United Soccer Club. Devin was so happy for me even though we were trying to work through a breakup together. And Jeff was estatic when I told him I had this chance. It made me work harder and learn from the person I knew best. He was willing to spend his personal time training me for what I had coming ahead of me. I've been impacted by these words and stuck with me through everything.
From a girl being in love with an occupation and a boy, the advice received over these years have changed my outlook on life and the world.
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