Dear Almost Twenty Something by Lydia

Dear Almost Twenty Something by Lydia - April 2021 Scholarship Essay

Dear Almost Twenty-Something,

Five years ago we were about to embark on the summer of our lives... Literal adventure around every corner as we visited five new states and the motherland for the first time. There was a lot of growth and happiness and new connections and coming into yourself as a young woman. Cherish those memories but don't live in them, especially the negative ones. Love hard but study harder. Draw closer to God. Start that now. Take care of yourself. Enjoy time with yourself. You are your own best friend. Learn to say no. It is okay to disappoint others as long as you're not disappointing yourself. Find your voice and speak up. Learn contentment. Stay humble and be patient. Save your money... that letter jacket wasn't worth it. Invest. Open an IRA sooner. Go straight into something like Computer Science or Cybersecurity, your mother will understand nursing was never for you. Embrace STEM. Gaze at the stars every night. Meditate. Most of all my Almost Twenty-Something... Never stop living. Each day is an adventure. Each day is a gift.

Sending you an abundance of hugs for when you need them,
Lydia McClelland of 2021

Ps. Invest in Zoom and Bitcoin ASAP... also when someone tells you to buy GME during the summer of 2020, listen to them ;)