Everything Changed the Moment I Believed I Belonged by Anita

Everything Changed the Moment I Believed I Belonged by Anita - July 2025 Scholarship Essay

If I could give one piece of advice to my past self, it would be this: Stop doubting yourself. You are capable of more than you think.

There were many moments in my life where I held back, not because I lacked ability, but because I did not believe I belonged. I let fear, comparison, and overthinking push me into the background when I had every reason to lead. If I could go back, I would tell my younger self to trust her voice, to step forward even when it feels uncomfortable, and to understand that waiting for the perfect moment only delays your growth.

As someone who graduated from high school early and served in leadership roles at a young age, people often assumed I had a natural confidence. But the truth is, I struggled silently with self-doubt. I questioned whether I was smart enough, mature enough, or talented enough to stand out. I used to stay quiet in class, turn down opportunities, and believe others were more qualified simply because they were older or louder.

That same doubt almost stopped me from applying to be president of the North Shore Scarlets, my varsity dance team. I started to talk myself out of it before I even tried. But deep down, I knew I had something meaningful to offer. I cared about the team, I had ideas for making it stronger, and I was ready to work hard. So I went for it. And I got the position. That decision changed everything. I realized that confidence is not something you wait to feel. It is something you build every time you show up despite fear.

Being team president taught me how to organize, communicate, and lead with both structure and heart. I supported my teammates, planned performances, managed responsibilities, and most importantly, proved to myself that I was ready long before I thought I was. It showed me that leadership does not look or sound one specific way. It can look like me. It can sound like me. It can be me.

I would tell my past self that doubt is normal, but it should never be the reason you sit something out. The people you admire once felt unsure too, but they kept going. I would tell her that she belongs in every room she enters, even if she is the youngest, even if she is still learning. Her voice matters. Her presence is enough.

If I had truly believed that earlier, I would have taken more chances, spoken up sooner, and stood taller in spaces that felt unfamiliar. I cannot change the past, but I can carry that lesson with me into the future. Now, I walk into new spaces with a stronger sense of who I am and what I am capable of. That belief will carry me through college and into every goal I chase beyond it.

You belong in the room. That is the advice I would give to my past self, and it is the truth I live by now.