Just Do It by Jacqueline

Just Do It by Jacqueline - July 2025 Scholarship Essay

If I could give one piece of advice to my past self, it would be this: “Stop being afraid and just do it.” Fear of failure has been my self-made barrier to success. I avoided things that I am not good at, and trapped myself in a box of limitations. However, as I have grown from a young girl learning about herself to a confident young woman, stepping out of my comfort zone- whether it be public speaking, applying for competitive internships or creating my own opportunities- I learned an incredibly important lesson. In order to transform my anxiety into purpose and determination, I had to realize that my goals and dreams were more important than my fear of failure.

What would I think of myself if I gave up before I even began? Would I resent myself for throwing my dreams away and choosing to do something comfortable? Yes. I would; and even though I might be scared to hit submit on an application, or nervous to introduce myself to a professor or professional, I do it anyway. I wish I had learned this lesson earlier, but sometimes, experience is the best most effective teacher.

My dream is to work at a museum or a historical site; and even though I have been denied for scholarships to help me finish school, and rejected from internships that would give me valuable career experience, I have learned to create my own opportunities. At my university, I work with the archival department to create my own exhibits. I work as the Black Student Union Archivist, where I study the experiences of Black student through Hollins University history, and record the memory of current Black students. I interned at an art gallery, where I gained hands on experience in gallery maintenance and organization. I regularly push myself to step outside of my comfort zone and if my younger self could see me now, she would be both surprised and proud.