Written Senior Reflection – Taylor Belanger, Ladies’s Swimming and Diving

EASTON, Mass. – The 2025-2026 Senior Reflections is a collection of annual collections. Senior representatives of groups at Stonehill have been invited to contribute and replicate on their private experiences over their four-year careers at Stonehill – each on and off the enjoying floor. 

Why Stonehill?
The second I toured campus and met my potential teammates I felt a way of neighborhood I hadn’t skilled anyplace else. Everyone welcomed me with open arms, although I wasn’t a scholar but. That’s once I knew Stonehill was the place I needed to be.

How Has Stonehill Shaped You As a Person?
Stonehill taught me to be comfy with the uncomfortable, within the pool, within the classroom, and in every day life. I discovered that the one option to actually flourish is to lean into challenges. That mindset helped me develop as an athlete, a scholar, and a person.
 
I arrived not sure of what was anticipated of me. The message, “Don’t let your minimum become your maximum,” rapidly turned a tenet. Professors and coaches all the time anticipate your greatest effort. That did not imply I used to be at 100% on daily basis, it meant I gave 100% of no matter I had. That normal pushed me to go above and past, academically and athletically, and helped me turn into extra well-rounded and get probably the most out of my Stonehill expertise.
 
Best Moments …
My favourite reminiscence is our first Division I championship meet as a program the NEC Championship in Geneva, Ohio. It was finals on the final day, and there was this shared sense of accomplishment throughout our group. Regardless of particular person swims, the power and happiness after that session is one thing I’ll always remember. It made me notice how fortunate and grateful I’m to be a part of this group.
 
My favourite educational reminiscences are the relationships I constructed with my professors. They genuinely cared about my well-being and made school really feel extra manageable. They additionally opened doorways, serving to me make connections and discover a number of paths I may pursue.
 
Lessons Learned
I’ve discovered that I’m extra resilient than I believed. I can deal with powerful practices, powerful courses, and difficult days and nonetheless present up with function. I’ve discovered methods to set targets, ask for assist, and maintain myself accountable. Most importantly, I’ve discovered that progress occurs once I select the more durable factor, keep constant, and belief the method.
 
The most dear ability I’m taking with me is a robust work ethic by displaying up constantly, doing the little issues proper, and ending what I begin. Along the way in which I’ve constructed actual time-management expertise from balancing coaching, journey, and lecturers. Competing at a brand new degree taught me to adapt rapidly, keep resilient by means of setbacks, and preserve my focus underneath strain.
 
 
To view the previous Senior Reflections go to this website: 2025-2026 Senior Reflections. 
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