Hey little me. How are the double digits going for you? You must be incredibly excited to go to states for swimming in a month. But before that happens, I would love to give you some advice. Advice that will help and guide you into the world. Advice that will work unlike moms textbooks she makes you do. Firstly, know yourself and focus on yourself before you worry about others. When you focus on yourself first you may then help others even further! I know this might sound cringey to you, however please believe me that it is not cringey at all whatsoever. It is just simply the truth. So please be confident and believe in yourself. The more you believe you can do it, the more you can do EVERYTHING, and believe me, EVERYTHING. Everything is based on your mindset. Mindset is key, so please think positively. I believe in you, and you need to have that same faith in yourself too. As a result of this, you can do everything you set your mind to.
You will most definitely miss 100% of the shots you do not take. This kinda reminds you of water polo right? However, this is not only just for water polo. This is for everything you do for life. So please, take all the shots you get, you do not know where those shots will get you! You might be taken in directions you never imagined you would reach. So make use of all the resources you have available. Furthermore, stay committed to your goals that you make for yourself. It will help you a great deal. Another word of advice to remember is you only live once, so take the risks. Try new activities out. Keep dreaming away. You do however have to note that you need to show up constantly and do it.
Honestly, I know you are really introverted. That’s completely fine. Nevertheless, you need to know how to advocate for yourself. Ask questions, trust me you do not look “stupid” or “dumb” at all whatsoever. The more questions you ask, the more you can comprehend. And the more you comprehend, the more knowledge you gain that will guide you to advocate for yourself the more you can advocate for our community. The community that is there for you so you will have to be there for them. You will have people in your life who have your back forever and ever. Or people in your life who do not have your back.
Life is like a rollercoaster. There are ups, and there are downs. Life might feel like it is staying down at times, but trust me, it is not. You do however have to remember that not everything is going to go the way you wish for it to go. So disregard issues you do not have control over. There are certain problems you have control over and you do not have control over. Try to prohibit over-thinking about what you do not have control over. Over-thinking can be very time consuming. Including overthinking about not being “perfect”. No one is perfect, there is nothing like that. Therefore, do not be afraid to make mistakes. You will be okay as long as you learn from the mistakes you made.
“Life is too short to spend it at war with yourself.” -Unknown
Rachel Hu – University of Chicago Laboratory School – DMSF Class of 2027