Advice From the Futute by Kennedy

Advice From the Futute by Kennedy - July 2025 Scholarship Essay

If I could offer advice to my younger self, I would say this: don’t live your life in fear. I spent too much time worrying about what could go wrong, what people would say, or whether I was good enough. But looking back, I realize fear held me back more than failure ever did. I would tell my younger self that every action might have consequences, but some actions come with incredible rewards. You can’t grow if you never take a chance. When I was younger, I thought I had to have everything figured out before I made a move. I believed I needed to feel confident before I tried something new. But the truth is, confidence comes from doing. You gain courage by showing up, not by waiting for the perfect moment. I missed out on so many experiences because I was afraid to fail or look foolish. I kept quiet when I had something to say. I sat back when I wanted to step up. I chose comfort overgrowth too many times. I would tell my younger self to stop worrying about what other people think. Their opinions don’t define you. Trying to please everyone only makes you lose sight of what you really want. It’s okay to be different. It’s okay to stand out. The people who care about you will support you no matter what, and the ones who don’t weren’t meant to be part of your journey anyway. You don’t need permission to chase your dreams. I’d remind myself that life is always changing. Things won’t always go as planned. You’ll mess up. You’ll feel lost. But that’s all part of growing. Every mistake teaches you something. Every setback builds strength. The challenges you face won’t break you. They’ll shape you. You’ll learn how to keep going, how to get back up, and how to believe in yourself even when it’s hard. Some of the best things that have happened in my life came from moments when I pushed through fear and just tried. Even when things didn’t go perfectly, I always walked away with something valuable. Whether it was applying for something I didn’t feel qualified for, speaking up in a room full of people, or taking a new path that scared me, those moments helped me grow the most. To my younger self, I would say take chances. Try new things. Say yes more often. Don’t let fear stop you from doing what makes you curious or excited. You’ll never discover what you’re capable of if you don’t step outside your comfort zone. You won’t always win, but you’ll always learn. And that’s what really matters. I’d also say be kind to yourself. You don’t have to be perfect. You’re allowed to make mistakes. You’re allowed to figure things out as you go. Trust yourself. You have everything you need inside of you. The world is big and full of possibilities, but you’ll miss them if you stay in one place out of fear. So, live fully. Take the leap. Don’t be afraid to dream big or fall short. Just keep going. Because every step forward, no matter how small, is worth it. And in the end, you’ll be proud you didn’t let fear decide your future.