You Won't Regret It by Elana

You Won't Regret It by Elana - September 2022 Scholarship Essay

If I could give one piece of advice to my past self, it would be to live life with no regrets. Whether it be time, resources, or life, we only live once so we should live to the fullest.
Ever since middle school I always remember focusing too much on my academics. I based my worth on the grades I received and would center my life around school. I took things too seriously and wouldn’t allow myself to do certain things if I knew I had upcoming tests, quizzes, or projects. The mindset of graduating high school, getting a degree, and then receiving a PhD in medical school was instilled into my head since I was a little girl.
I had certain friends that thought the same way as me, but other ones that were free spirits and did whatever they felt like doing. I envied seeing them have fun and regretted not going, but living spontaneously wasn’t for me, until something changed.
I realized that you could be living one moment and then be taken out of it the next. This was made apparent to me freshman year walking home from school. After taking a geometry test I thought I failed, I was disappointed in myself and after my last test grade, was scared of confrontation from my parents. I studied for hours, what happened? These thoughts were racing through my head when suddenly I looked to my right as a car was quickly approaching and didn’t show signs of stopping. Instinctively I moved to the side of the road, out of breath. He almost hit me. My heart was beating at a million miles per minute and I stopped on the sidewalk to recollect myself. Why wasn’t I paying attention? Did school really take up that much of my life that I was too distracted to even walk home? I brushed it off and went on with my life as usual. Something started to shift in my mind, but it was reality that took a hold on me most.
I believe that living with regrets is a burden on one’s shoulders. My great-uncle got diagnosed with lung cancer just weeks before school started. He ended up entering hospice care and my family went to visit him. He pulled me aside to tell me one last thing before we left. He looked me in my eyes and told me everything he regretted not doing during his lifetime. He wished he traveled, spent more time with his family, mended broken relationships, etc. All I could do was listen and think. We said our goodbyes, but little did I know this was the last time I was going to see him.
After he passed away, it got me thinking of every missed opportunity I’ve had in my life. Regret crept over my shoulders like a blanket and I didn’t know what to do, leaving me mentally stuck. I realized how fragile and uncertain life was and knew I needed to change. For the first time in a long time I put something other than school first. Yes, grades are important but family, friends, and happiness are more important.
Living with no regrets is much easier said than done, but it’s possible. Ever since I’ve changed the way I acted, my life has only gotten better. I’m surrounded with people I love and am the happiest I’ve ever been. I live now with little to no regrets and wouldn’t change a thing. The future is unwritten so why not make it the best you can, mistakes and all.