Advice to my Past Self! by Keara

Advice to my Past Self! by Keara - July 2025 Scholarship Essay

If I could give my past self one piece of advice, it would be to embrace failure as a crucial part of growth. When I was younger, I was so afraid of not succeeding that I often avoided challenges altogether. I stuck to what I knew I could do well, which limited my experiences and potential. I wish I had understood earlier that failure isn't the opposite of success; it's a stepping stone toward it.

Every time I stumbled or didn't meet my expectations, I learned something valuable. These experiences taught me resilience, problem-solving skills, and the importance of perseverance. If I had been more open to taking risks and accepting setbacks, I believe I would have grown more quickly and discovered new passions and talents along the way.

So, I would tell my younger self to dive in, try new things, and not be afraid to make mistakes. Embrace the lessons that come from failure, because they are the building blocks of success. This mindset would have allowed me to live more fully, take advantage of opportunities, and ultimately become a more confident and capable person.So now I tell myself, " Don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and always believe in your potential."