The Importance of Patience by Lauren

The Importance of Patience by Lauren - July 2025 Scholarship Essay

If I could give one piece of advice to my past self, it would be to have patience. Life rarely unfolds on the timeline we expect, and I’ve learned that rushing through moments only leads to missed lessons and unnecessary stress. When I was younger, I often felt like I had to figure everything out quickly like who I was, what I wanted, and where I was going. I didn’t realize that growth takes time and that some answers only come with experience and maturity. Patience would have helped me accept failure as part of the journey rather than something to fear or avoid. It would have reminded me that it’s okay to not have everything together and that some of the best things in life take time to build like meaningful relationships, self-confidence, and purpose. By being patient, I would’ve been kinder to myself, allowing space to make mistakes and grow without constant self-judgment. I now understand that progress is not always visible or fast, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t happening. Looking back, I see how much pressure I put on myself to move fast and get things right. If I had embraced patience earlier, I would’ve found more peace in the process instead of always chasing the destination.