Completed Event: Women's Basketball at Eastern Kentucky on March 19, 2026 , Loss , 58, to, 72
Final Score
Women's Basketball
58
at Eastern Kentucky
72
The University of Utah Athletics
Dear Freshman Me: Sarah Porter
8/10/2018 10:13 AM | Women's Basketball
Dear Freshman Me,
Well, you made it! You have accomplished one of your dreams of playing Division I basketball, but the work is just beginning. Your journey will take you to three different schools in three totally different and unique places. Be prepared for change, as you will move from your hometown of San Diego to Mississippi to Santa Barbara, to Salt Lake City. It will seem rough and long, yet it will be a successful and fun journey full of many opportunities and amazing experiences. You will meet many people along the way. Some will become lifelong friends, some will mentor you, some will challenge you, and some will frankly get on your nerves. But each one has been sent from God, to help build your character. Embrace the relationships and learn from each encounter you will have. This journey will get you a fifth year as a graduate student at the University of Utah pursuing a Master's in Education in Teaching Leadership. What a change from your initial goals of Majoring in Communication. You will learn so much. I don't want to spoil the journey for you by telling you all the experiences and hardships you face, but through it all, you will find your true passion.Â
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My first piece of advice is to stay the course, persevere! The first night in your dorm room, in a state you have never been in, 1,800 miles away from home where you won't know a soul, you will feel tired and lonely, but focus on the process because that is the best opportunity for you to grow and you will overcome those feelings. College is all about growth and learning who you are. You will have plenty of people to prove wrong, but you also have your family who invested so much into your success, and among others are looking forward to what your future holds. Despite the support, it is important that you do not allow the pressure of other's expectations become overwhelming to you, because at the end of the day you have to be happy and have peace with yourself and discover what you want in life. Do not be afraid to make decisions that others may not totally agree with because this is your life and the journey that God has set for you. Always look to Him for guidance and trust the process.
My second piece of advice to you is to never say you can't do something. People will constantly doubt your abilities, but remember what your dad has always told you, "If you say you can, you can. If you say you can't, you can't." Do not allow negative thoughts to bring you down either. When you're conditioning, preparing for season, or even finishing up the last 30 minutes of practice, finish strong and always say you can. Whenever you doubt yourself, remember God does not put you in any situation that you cannot handle. Attack it and understand that persevering through the tough times, builds character and strength. God has placed you in tough situations for a reason and he has bigger plans for your life, and sometimes you will have a hard time understanding that. But no one can stop the plans that God has for your life.
Lastly, my third piece of advice is to enjoy college. Take time to smell the roses. For example, pause through all the chaos, take a walk by yourself across campus, and just be proud that you're there. Understand that others do not have the privilege of receiving higher education or being a student-athlete at a four-year university. It is a time you will never get back. Do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone, so you do not have any regrets. Prioritize your time and find a good balance between basketball, your social life, your spiritual well-being and studying.
Always ask God for guidance and pray he continues to keep you motivated and on the correct path to the plans He has in store for you.
Â
Love,
Â
The bigger and better you.
Â
Well, you made it! You have accomplished one of your dreams of playing Division I basketball, but the work is just beginning. Your journey will take you to three different schools in three totally different and unique places. Be prepared for change, as you will move from your hometown of San Diego to Mississippi to Santa Barbara, to Salt Lake City. It will seem rough and long, yet it will be a successful and fun journey full of many opportunities and amazing experiences. You will meet many people along the way. Some will become lifelong friends, some will mentor you, some will challenge you, and some will frankly get on your nerves. But each one has been sent from God, to help build your character. Embrace the relationships and learn from each encounter you will have. This journey will get you a fifth year as a graduate student at the University of Utah pursuing a Master's in Education in Teaching Leadership. What a change from your initial goals of Majoring in Communication. You will learn so much. I don't want to spoil the journey for you by telling you all the experiences and hardships you face, but through it all, you will find your true passion.Â
Â
My first piece of advice is to stay the course, persevere! The first night in your dorm room, in a state you have never been in, 1,800 miles away from home where you won't know a soul, you will feel tired and lonely, but focus on the process because that is the best opportunity for you to grow and you will overcome those feelings. College is all about growth and learning who you are. You will have plenty of people to prove wrong, but you also have your family who invested so much into your success, and among others are looking forward to what your future holds. Despite the support, it is important that you do not allow the pressure of other's expectations become overwhelming to you, because at the end of the day you have to be happy and have peace with yourself and discover what you want in life. Do not be afraid to make decisions that others may not totally agree with because this is your life and the journey that God has set for you. Always look to Him for guidance and trust the process.
My second piece of advice to you is to never say you can't do something. People will constantly doubt your abilities, but remember what your dad has always told you, "If you say you can, you can. If you say you can't, you can't." Do not allow negative thoughts to bring you down either. When you're conditioning, preparing for season, or even finishing up the last 30 minutes of practice, finish strong and always say you can. Whenever you doubt yourself, remember God does not put you in any situation that you cannot handle. Attack it and understand that persevering through the tough times, builds character and strength. God has placed you in tough situations for a reason and he has bigger plans for your life, and sometimes you will have a hard time understanding that. But no one can stop the plans that God has for your life.
Lastly, my third piece of advice is to enjoy college. Take time to smell the roses. For example, pause through all the chaos, take a walk by yourself across campus, and just be proud that you're there. Understand that others do not have the privilege of receiving higher education or being a student-athlete at a four-year university. It is a time you will never get back. Do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone, so you do not have any regrets. Prioritize your time and find a good balance between basketball, your social life, your spiritual well-being and studying.
Always ask God for guidance and pray he continues to keep you motivated and on the correct path to the plans He has in store for you.
Â
Love,
Â
The bigger and better you.
Â
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