Life Is a Marathon, Not a Race by Cennedi

Life Is a Marathon, Not a Race by Cennedi - July 2025 Scholarship Essay

If I could give my younger self one piece of advice , it would have to be: life is a marathon, not a race. It might sound like a cliché statement, but I’ve realized people repeat it for a reason. It’s not about sounding wise—it’s about reminding you that, in the end, it’s always you vs. you. When you're growing up, it's easy to feel like you're behind if you're not hitting every "milestone" at the “right” time. There’s pressure to be someone, to accomplish big things, and to have it all figured out by a certain age. But no one really tells you that life is full of nothing but trial and error—and that’s okay.

I’d remind my younger self that falling down doesn’t mean you’ve failed—it just means you’re human. If you fall seven times, get back up seven times; it's how you grow. And most importantly, don’t compare your life to anyone else’s. We live in a world where people only show you the "highlight reel", and not necessarily the behind-the-scenes. Except, the truth is, we all take losses. We all struggle, we all doubt ourselves, and we all need grace—both from others and from ourselves.

I’ve learned that it’s normal to question your path, to face setbacks, and to feel lost sometimes. What matters most is that you keep going. Life is hard—there’s no sugarcoating that. However, it's also full of second chances, unexpected turns, and small wins that make the journey worth it. You'll eventually see, that once you stop rushing and start focusing on your own pace, life will start to become even more exciting, and a lot more peaceful.

So, to my past self: take a deep breath. Give yourself some grace. You’re not late. You’re not behind. You're learning, and you're growing. It's you vs. you. This is YOUR life, and wherever you find yourself-in whatever moment in time-know this: you’re exactly where you're supposed to be. Just always remember—life is a marathon, not a race.