Reflecting back on 2024, I realize there were many things I wish I would’ve done sooner. But everyone always focuses on regrets and “What if?” or “Why didn’t I?” statements. At the end of the day everyone understands they can’t change the past but can appreciate it instead. In this letter, I’m looking at this past year and thinking about things I’m happy I did, both big and small.
Being friends with people in the performing arts taught me to be confident in myself. I was able to watch showcases, plays, concerts and tell myself that even if I’m not the best, it’s worth putting the effort in to say “I did it!” and have fun. This year I became closer friends with one person in particular, Ciara Constantino. She asked me to join her choir at the beginning of the year, and I’m extremely grateful that she did. I regained my love for performing through her choir, and made new friends just by saying yes when she asked. I’m happy that I stopped being too swept up in school for my friends. Going on spontaneous trips to get boba after school while backseat driving or Seattle visits on the weekend is something I’m glad I’ve started doing. I can proudly say that pushing off an assignment or two was worth it to make memories with the people I love. For example, I don’t know anything about any sports except sometimes volleyball, but I enjoyed going to the football and basketball games with my friends this year. Being surrounded by friends in any situation made me thankful for the fact I’m not alone and have people I can laugh with.
I’m glad I decided to apply for programs I had little to no idea about. When applying for the Al-Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference in Washington, DC, I was convinced I wouldn’t make it. My lackluster portfolio of articles and writer’s block made me certain that I wouldn’t stand a chance against applicants from other schools. As I work on college applications, I realize how much I’ve missed out on, but I’m also grateful for the passion I’ve developed. For a little bit, I was insecure because I thought that my small number of extracurriculars outside of my bubble would make me seem disengaged – But I’m glad I stuck with my passions. They gave me the opportunity to report on things that I love, that I feel deserve recognition and learn new ideas from those around me. My friends reintroduced me to things I forgot about because I was too wrapped up in school.
Another thing worth mentioning is the fact that I’m a senior with a full schedule. When the school year started and my friends told me about how they didn’t have a first period, or a fourth, and some without a sixth, I was discouraged and almost embarrassed with the fact I chose to waive my physical education credits. But as the year has gone on, I’m less worried about the fact I chose to keep all six classes. I still don’t like it – but it also pushes me to finish my work on time, since I don’t have the time to sit back and waste away during free periods. It made me realize that for myself, a full schedule works the best.
My time management skills have improved compared to the second semester of my junior year, when I would spend my sixth period napping or pretending to do work at Urban City Coffee. I’m not perfect now, and my grades could definitely show that, but my experiences have made me grow in a way that I’m thankful for.
Part of my time management skills improving was because I got my first job during the school year. Working my first part-time job was a big adjustment, but it taught me a few things. One: five hours can go by as fast or as slow as you want it to. Two: no matter how many times you can tell a grown adult no, they’ll still ask you or your coworkers to check the backstock again, and three: if you’re working, don’t let your school work pile up. My first instance where I realized the importance of time management was around the time of my AP Statistics Chapter two test.
Pretend you’re me, just getting to work, ready to clock in and remembering that you haven’t studied for the test in two days. This memory triggered my brain and made me think about the fact that I hadn’t done most of the homework or the review because I had been working the past few days instead of thinking about school.
Horrible decision, right? Fortunately, I had the next two days off and studied, but I realized that I couldn’t have a one-track mind or go straight into work mode. I opted to use the time that I got to work early or came straight from school to study and do homework instead of spending all of my pre-work time goofing off. While I didn’t always follow through with this plan, even just doing it on occasion improved my grades a lot. Speaking of grades, I’m glad that I haven’t been doing great in my classes.
Rather than dwelling on your past grades and how you could’ve done better for your most recent test, use that as motivation to do better on the next one.
Lastly, I’m glad that I applied to an unnecessary amount of colleges. Now don’t get me wrong, I did not like having a committed relationship with Common App for all of October and November. But I’ll miss the Urban City lotus-induced writing sessions and checking each other’s essays at midnight, but I’ll never miss the struggle of figuring out a way to answer the most obscure essay prompts. I will admit that I might have stretched myself too thin with the amount I applied to, but I’m giving schools a chance to know me without having to worry about whether or not I’ll get into the most prestigious schools.
The point of this letter isn’t to be like me or take after what I’ve done because I can guarantee it isn’t the best plan of action for everyone, but it’s to not dwell on what could’ve been and instead appreciate what’s happened.
