If I Could Give One Piece of Advice to My Past Self by Jordyn

If I Could Give One Piece of Advice to My Past Self by Jordyn - July 2025 Scholarship Essay

Looking back over the years, there are many moments when I wished I had been a little kinder to myself—especially during times when I felt stuck or frustrated. If I could go back and give one piece of advice to my past self, it would be to be patient with your growth and trust the process. This advice is something I’ve learned through experience, but I believe knowing it earlier would have made many challenges easier to face. Life rarely follows a straight path, and understanding that growth takes time is crucial for both success and happiness.

When I was younger, I often felt overwhelmed by the pressure to succeed quickly. Whether it was school, friendships, or personal goals, I wanted fast results. I expected to grasp new concepts immediately, make friends effortlessly, and have a clear plan for my future. But reality didn’t match those expectations. I struggled with setbacks, confusing moments, and periods when progress seemed invisible. In those times, I was impatient and harsh on myself. I thought I was failing or falling behind because I wasn’t where I wanted to be “yet.” What I didn’t realize was that growth is not instant—it’s a gradual process filled with small steps forward, occasional setbacks, and important lessons.

One of the biggest areas where this impatience showed up was in my academics. I remember times when I studied hard but didn’t get the grades I hoped for. Instead of viewing those moments as part of learning, I felt discouraged and doubted my abilities. If I had told my younger self to be patient, I might have seen those moments differently. I would have understood that each mistake was a chance to improve, not a sign that I wasn’t smart enough. I would have been more forgiving and persistent, trusting that effort over time leads to progress.

Patience is also about trusting that the “process” of life—full of uncertainty and change—is preparing you for something bigger. Looking back, I see how each experience, even the difficult ones, taught me something valuable. Sometimes I was forced to slow down, rethink my choices, or try new approaches. Those pauses felt frustrating then, but they were moments of growth disguised as obstacles. Trusting this process means believing that challenges don’t stop your journey—they shape it. If I had embraced this mindset earlier, I might have had less anxiety about the future and more confidence that things would work out in time.

Beyond academics, patience has helped me in personal relationships and self-confidence. I used to compare myself to others and feel like I was behind. Socially, I wanted instant connections and worried when friendships didn’t form quickly. But true relationships take time to build, just like skills and goals. Being patient with myself meant accepting that not everything happens on my schedule—and that’s okay. It meant valuing growth over perfection, and persistence over immediate success.

Now, I try to remind myself daily that growth is a journey, not a race. I focus on small wins and keep pushing forward, even when progress feels slow. I have learned that patience is not about waiting passively but about staying committed, trusting yourself, and believing that with time, effort, and reflection, you will reach your goals. This advice is something I wish I had given my past self earlier because it would have made the hard moments easier and the good moments even sweeter.

In conclusion, if I could speak to my younger self, I would say: Be patient and trust the process. Growth takes time, and every experience—good or bad—is part of your journey. Embrace the challenges, forgive the setbacks, and celebrate every step forward. Life is not about how fast you get there but about how much you learn along the way. Carrying this mindset has made my journey more meaningful and less stressful, and I believe it can help anyone facing their own challenges. Patience and trust are the keys to personal growth, and I am grateful to have learned this lesson, even if it took time.