You Belong, Don’t Shrink Yourself to Fit In by Abu

You Belong, Don’t Shrink Yourself to Fit In by Abu - July 2025 Scholarship Essay

If I could go back and give one piece of advice to my past self, it would be this: You belong, don’t shrink yourself to fit in.
Growing up as a young Black student from Pontiac, Michigan, and attending a predominantly white high school in Oxford, I often felt the pressure to be quieter, smaller, or less “different.” I told fewer stories about my culture. I hesitated to raise my hand in class. I downplayed my ambition so I wouldn’t come across as “too much.” The truth is, I spent a lot of time doubting whether I truly belonged in spaces where very few people looked like me or came from where I came from.
That mindset limited me more than any academic challenge ever could. I missed out on sharing ideas. I second-guessed opportunities I was more than qualified for. I tried to blend in when I should’ve stood out.
It wasn’t until I experienced a tragedy, the 2021 Oxford High School shooting, that everything changed. That moment forced me to stop hiding. It made me realize how precious life is and how important it is to show up fully, no matter the environment. Since then, I’ve become a leader in my school and community. I co-founded the first NSBE Jr. chapter in my county, joined ACE Mentorship, led award-winning design-build teams, and got accepted into Kettering University to study mechanical engineering and construction management.
But the biggest shift wasn’t external, it was internal. I now speak with confidence, not fear. I no longer feel the need to apologize for my background. It’s what makes me powerful. My roots, my challenges, and my voice deserve space in every room I enter.
So to my younger self: don’t hide who you are to make others comfortable. Embrace your voice, share your story, and walk into every room like you belong because you do.