Dear Younger Me by Tom

Dear Younger Me by Tom - September 2022 Scholarship Essay

If I could go back in time and meet my younger self, I would have lots to say. But, let's say, in this hypothetical, I have a limited amount of time to spend with myself and can only choose one piece of advice. In that case, I would tell myself never to give up.

It sounds basic. But the younger me was so close to giving up so many times. I'm not sure I could begin to list the number of times I gave up on something, felt I couldn't reach a goal, or wanted to shut myself out from the world. I struggled with a lot when I was younger and starting high school. Right out the gate, I had friends who were against me, odds against me, and the possibility of going to college on my terms were dreams tossed out the window. There were those days when I wanted to give up, felt underqualified, never good enough, or thought I would never be happy.

My junior year (11th grade) of high school was when situations became tense. My motivation and mental health were at an all-time low, my relationships were deteriorating, and my grades in school had turned from A's and B's to C's and F's. It was rough. I did not have college plans in my future; I had stopped considering it altogether.

If I could go back, just one or two years ago, I would insist to myself to never give up. I believe that is one of the most crucial and influential pieces of advice I needed to hear then. I needed someone to tell me that I could make it, that I would have the ability to go to college and do what I wanted for a living.

I very much wish I had been able to go back and tell myself these things. If I could have, I would've saved myself from... well, myself. I wish someone had told me what life would have in store for me, and I wish I hadn't given up on myself so quickly back then.

But here I am. The journey would have been easier if I had my future self with me, but I still managed. Today, I know not to give up. I have a job I love doing art, I've applied to art colleges, and am looking into careers doing what I love.

I am proud to be here where I am today, despite finding bumps along the way.