You only know what you know and that's all you know by Aliana

You only know what you know and that's all you know by Aliana - July 2025 Scholarship Essay

Go out there and live life. Be bold, be adventurous, and be open to new experiences and opportunities because you only know what you know, and that's all you know. You will never run out of things to learn, so say yes to new adventures, be willing to see new places, try new foods and meet new people.

Unfortunately, COVID really impacted the way I see and react to the outside world. My tendencies are to want to stay home if I'm invited to a crowded location. I worry about the cleanliness of any new restaurant I'm invited to and I realize that I allow my fears and concerns to dictate my willingness to live my life to its fullest. So I would tell my younger self to let go of the fear, push beyond the hesitation, and add as much as you can to our “what I know” column. Not because we read it in a book but because we've lived it, we’ve experienced it.

Don’t be consumed with what everyone else is doing, don't worry about fitting in and following the crowd. Be authentically you with no regard to what others might say, in the end they dont matter and the only person you have to make happy is you. So try the new food, wear the quirky outfit, be open to making new friends, and most importantly don't be afraid to live life.