One Piece of Advice to My Past Self by Willard

One Piece of Advice to My Past Self by Willard - July 2025 Scholarship Essay

If I could offer one piece of advice to my younger self, it would be this: you don’t have to rush to figure everything out. Take your time, ask more questions, and don’t be afraid to not have all the answers right away. Growing up, I put a lot of pressure on myself to have a clear, perfect plan for my future, as if life handed out extra credit for early certainty. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t.

By my 13th birthday, I thought I should know my career path, my top college choice, and how I’d eventually “make it.” I treated uncertainty like a weakness. If I didn’t have an answer ready for “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I felt like I was already behind. So I rushed. I made quick decisions, stuck too closely to “safe” options, and avoided anything that made me feel like a beginner.

Looking back, I understand how much that mindset held me back. It didn’t push me forward it just narrowed my view. The truth is, growth happens in the questions, not just the answers. Some of the best opportunities I’ve had came from the moments I admitted I wasn’t sure what I was doing and gave myself room to learn. Whether it was taking on a leadership role I didn’t feel ready for, exploring a subject outside my comfort zone, or making a mistake and learning from it—the moments I grew the most were rarely the ones I had carefully planned.

So, what I’d tell my past self is this: it’s okay to take a breath. Try things. Fail a little. Course-correct. Don’t be so focused on arriving at the destination that you miss the lessons in the journey. You’re not falling behind just because someone else seems further along. Everyone moves at their own pace, and most people are figuring it out as they go—even if they don’t show it.

I’d also encourage my younger self to be curious, not just efficient. Read for fun sometimes. Ask questions, even the ones that feel awkward. Pursue ideas, not just accolades. Life isn’t about building a perfect résumé; it’s about becoming someone who knows how to think, adapt, lead, and keep growing.

This advice matters because it has changed the way I approach challenges today. I no longer see uncertainty as something to avoid, but as a space to grow. So to my younger self, and to anyone else who needs to hear it: take your time. Keep asking questions. You’re not lost, you’re just learning. And that’s exactly where you need to be.