Advice to my past-self by Aniya

Advice to my past-self by Aniya - July 2025 Scholarship Essay

If I could go back and give one piece of advice to my past self, I would say this, “Be patient your time is coming”

When I was younger, I often felt like I was stuck in a waiting room while life was happening for everyone else. I saw people with two parents, financial stability, and clear direction, while I was just trying to hold it together with what I had. I watched classmates receive awards, go on family vacations, and get supported in ways I could only imagine. Meanwhile, I was helping my mom with bills, grieving a father I never really got the chance to know, and wondering if things would ever get easier. I used to question whether I would ever get my moment my time to shine, to grow, to feel proud of myself.

But what I didn’t know then was that everything I was going through was shaping me into someone strong, resilient, and ready for whatever life brings. I wish I could look that younger version of me in the eyes and say, “You're not behind you’re just building.” Because that’s exactly what I was doing. I was laying a foundation made of hard work, empathy, and grit qualities that you can’t always see in the moment but that carry you when life gets tough.

I would tell my past self that being different from others isn’t a disadvantage; it's a source of power. Yes, I didn’t grow up with everything handed to me. I didn’t always have access to the best resources or feel like I had someone to guide me through each step. But I had something else drive. I had dreams that pushed me, even when I was tired. I had a mother who showed me what perseverance looks like. I had love, even when things were hard. And that mattered more than I realized at the time.

If I had been too focused on trying to "keep up" with everyone else, I might have missed what made my path special. I would’ve missed the pride that comes from getting accepted into college as a first generation student. I would’ve missed discovering my passion for nursing and realizing how deeply I want to help others. I would’ve missed understanding what it really means to earn something not just be given it.

I’ve learned that patience isn’t about waiting quietly. It’s about continuing to move forward even when the progress feels invisible. It’s about trusting that every late night, every setback, and every small win is part of something bigger. If I had known that back then, I would’ve been a little kinder to myself. I would’ve celebrated more of my progress instead of comparing it to someone else's. I would’ve believed sooner that I’m enough just as I am.

So to my younger self, I say this: Don’t rush your journey. You are not falling behind; you are preparing for something that is uniquely yours. Your story may not look like everyone else’s, but that’s what makes it powerful. The strength you’re building now will carry you into rooms you never thought you’d enter. Your compassion, born from struggle, will allow you to connect with people in ways that textbooks never could. And when your moment comes and it will you’ll know it was all worth it.

Now, as I pursue my nursing degree at Lincoln University and prepare for a future dedicated to serving others, I carry that message with me every day. I am no longer in that waiting room I’m walking through the doors that I once thought were closed to me. And when I think about where I’ve come from, I’m grateful for the journey.

Because the advice I gave to my past self? I’m still living by it today.