What I Wish I Heard at 16 by Shayla

What I Wish I Heard at 16 by Shayla - July 2025 Scholarship Essay

When you have a tumultuous family, applications piling up, and work expected from everyone I understand how hard it is. I was 16, stressed, and I felt the world was on my shoulders. For the way things turned out, I apologize. The fact that you were alone at 16 became an adult and a breadwinner, was unforgiveable. Now, I wish I could go back and tell you the kid you were supposed to be.

If I could tell you anything, it would be that I'm proud; all the mornings you woke up at 4 am just to study for a test, when you had been working until 10 pm the previous night. I would tell you that you don't have to expect the world from yourself, that it's okay to struggle. For so long I knew how you would cry at all the worries you had and all the obligations you needed to accomplish. I heard you. Now, I'm telling you to let loose and experience all those emotions. You should laugh, cry, and not hold yourself back for anyone.

If I could hug you right now, I would. I would advise you to go out more. Tell your friends you can make it to that trip, that you can afford that ice cream cone, that you will see them at the movies later. So much time that was taken from you I would give it right back. You're supposed to have fun, explore, and fall at 16. There is a world of knowledge you haven't even found yet. And that's okay, you're a child. You are free and alive to live life the way you envisioned it.

Thus, my biggest advice to you is to release the child in you that you were so desperate to avoid. Feel upset at your situation and change it for the better, do all of the fun things that you were told were "only for children," watch as much SpongeBob as you want, and stay up late gossiping with your friends about crushes and classmates. It's your right as a 16 year old, that I never want taken away again.