Just be a kid. by Linnea

Just be a kid. by Linnea - July 2025 Scholarship Essay

I grew up as an only child in a split household where the majority of my more successful interactions were with adults. I didn't have a lot of friends at my school, just people I talked to in my classes but never spent time with. I became obsessed with social hierarchies and was an ambitious child however what set me back was that I didn't take the time to be a kid.
I didn't like to do sports because I didn't understand how to talk to my peers. I became too anxious and withdrawn to meet my full potential in school. I generally believe that if I just let myself be a kid and was more involved that I would have had more success.
My advice to my past self, is just to have fun. Don't let how people see you get in the way, brush off the cruel remarks children give to one another because your own personal happiness is much more fulfilling to chase than what people think of you.
As I move forward in my life from high school into college, I want to put myself out there more. I want to chase my happiness in clubs and school events to find my people and push away how I let people affect my self view. Only I can give them permission to do that.