If I could do it all over again. by David

If I could do it all over again. by David - July 2025 Scholarship Essay

A Piece of Advice I Would Give My Past Self

If I could sit down with my past self, I would offer one powerful piece of advice: Plan, prepare, and execute consistently and at a high level. These three habits are essential for success, and they would have made all the difference during one of the most difficult periods of my life.

Before the pandemic, football was my passion. It was my outlet, my motivator, and my dream. I envisioned myself going far with the sport, and I trained hard. But when COVID-19 shut everything down, I lost my drive. The isolation and uncertainty turned me off from football entirely. I allowed discouragement to take over, and I fell into a pattern of laziness that cost me the momentum I had worked so hard to build.

Looking back, I now understand that those moments of adversity were actually opportunities to grow not reasons to quit. I would tell my younger self to stay locked in, to push through even when the world feels like it’s standing still. Giving up on football taught me something painful but necessary: without commitment to a plan and consistent preparation, even your biggest dreams can fade.

That moment became a turning point. Once I realized football might no longer be my path, I shifted my focus to academics. I committed myself fully, knowing that maintaining a 4.0 GPA and above would be my way forward. Since then, I’ve stayed focused, disciplined, and motivated. That discipline has shaped the person I am today.

So, to my past self, I would say this: You are capable of more than you think. Don’t let setbacks define you. If you plan wisely, prepare consistently, and execute with intention, you’ll be unstoppable on the field or in the classroom.