Speak Up and Dream Big by Laniyah

Speak Up and Dream Big by Laniyah - July 2025 Scholarship Essay

If I could go back and give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be to speak up about your feelings and don’t ignore those little ideas you have for your future—because they really do matter. Looking back, I realize how much I held in, thinking that keeping things to myself was easier or safer. But honestly, staying quiet just made everything feel heavier and more confusing.

There were times when I didn’t want to say how I really felt because I thought I might come across as too emotional or that people wouldn’t understand. I was scared of being judged or rejected, so I kept my feelings locked inside. But I learned that holding all that in only made me feel more alone and stuck. When I finally started being honest, even if it was uncomfortable at first, things actually got better. Opening up helped me connect with people on a deeper level, and it helped me understand myself more too. Speaking your truth isn’t a weakness—it’s a way to heal and grow.

The other thing I’d tell myself is to never ignore the small ideas or dreams that pop into your head. When I was younger, I used to think that if a thought didn’t seem big or perfect right away, it wasn’t worth paying attention to. But I’ve realized those little sparks are important—they’re the starting points of what can become something amazing. Every big success starts somewhere small. So don’t dismiss your ideas just because they seem too simple or too far-fetched. Believe in them, even if just a little, and see where they take you. If I could tell my past self-anything, it would be don’t be afraid to speak up and don’t give up on yourself. Those two things can change everything.