Slow Down by Jesiah

Slow Down by Jesiah - July 2025 Scholarship Essay

If I could give one piece of advice to my past self, it would be to stop rushing through life to get to the next thing. In high school, I was always focused on the next test, the next event, the next goal. I thought success meant constantly moving forward, checking off achievements as quickly as possible. In that rush, I often missed the small moments that made those seasons meaningful.

I would tell my past self that it is okay to slow down and be present. Sitting at a cafeteria table with friends, laughing about nothing, or taking an extra minute to appreciate a sunrise before a busy day are moments that matter just as much as the goals I was chasing. Slowing down does not mean losing ambition. It means understanding that the journey is what shapes you, not just the destination.

Learning to be present would have also helped me manage stress. I often felt that every assignment was the most important thing in the world and that one mistake would ruin everything. I would remind my past self that growth happens through small steps and occasional failures, and that life is not a race to be won but a path to walk with purpose.

I still have goals, and I still work hard, but I now see the value in pausing to reflect, to be grateful, and to enjoy the season I am in. If I had learned this earlier, I would have spent less time worrying about the future and more time building deeper connections with the people around me.

To my past self, I would simply say to slow down. You are exactly where you need to be, and you do not have to rush to prove your worth. Life will unfold one step at a time, and you will find joy not just in achieving your goals, but in the journey of becoming who you are meant to be.