A Letter to my Past Self by Jafet

A Letter to my Past Self by Jafet - July 2025 Scholarship Essay

If I could offer one piece of advice to my past self, it would be simple yet powerful: Slow down and recognize the true value of learning, not just for grades or trophies but for your own growth and future.

My name is Jafet Cerritos. I am 19 years old, proudly Mexican, and currently studying Mechanical Engineering at the Milwaukee School of Engineering. Growing up, I was always motivated by results: higher grades, winning games, and mastering new skills. I poured my heart into volleyball and soccer, where teamwork and discipline shaped me, and I found a creative outlet in playing the saxophone and performing jazz, which taught me patience and expression. But what I did not fully understand back then was how important it is to learn for the sake of understanding, rather than just achieving.

In high school, I thought of studying as something you had to do to get an A on the test or meet someone else’s expectations. It was not until I started exploring subjects on my own that I realized education’s real power. I remember when I first got curious about stocks and investing. What started as a random interest quickly turned into something deeper: late nights researching how markets move, reading about economic trends, and learning about risk and reward. I realized that knowledge itself opens doors, not just to better grades but to understanding the world around us and making smarter choices for the future.

This curiosity changed the way I see education. Instead of memorizing facts to pass an exam, I began to ask why things work the way they do, how theories apply to real life, and what role I could play in solving problems. As an engineering student, this mindset is invaluable because engineering is not just about numbers. It is about seeing patterns, questioning assumptions, and creating practical solutions that can help people.

If I could talk to my younger self, I would say to take time to explore your interests beyond the classroom. Learn about things that may not seem directly related to your major, like economics, psychology, or art, because you never know how those ideas might connect to your future work. Discover how understanding stocks is not only about money but about analyzing data and predicting outcomes, skills that are incredibly useful in engineering too.

I would also tell myself that education is not something done alone. Playing in a jazz band showed me that listening is as important as performing because you must be aware of others to create harmony. On the volleyball court, I learned that a single player cannot carry the whole team. It takes coordination, trust, and shared effort. These lessons apply just as much to academics because asking for help, sharing ideas, and learning from classmates make the experience richer and more meaningful.

Reflecting now, I see that every moment spent studying, practicing, or even failing has value. Even the small things, like staying up late to finish an assignment or rereading a concept until it finally makes sense, build resilience and deepen understanding. It is not always about the reward you see immediately; sometimes it is about planting seeds for the future.

I am grateful that I learned to slow down and appreciate education as a lifelong journey rather than a checklist of accomplishments. Today, as I work toward becoming an engineer, I feel driven not just by the idea of a career but by a genuine desire to understand how things work and how I can use that knowledge to help my community. My Mexican heritage also inspires me because I want to show that dedication and curiosity can take you far, no matter where you start.

If my past self could hear one message, it would be this: The grades, awards, and recognitions are important, but what truly matters is what you learn, how you grow, and who you become along the way. Embrace curiosity, welcome challenges, and never stop asking questions, even about things that seem unrelated, because in the end, it all shapes who you are and the impact you will make