Every so often, I like to look back and see how far I have come. I like to reflect on events that I wish I could experience again, things I would do differently if I had the chance, and the anxieties that now seem so small. If I had the opportunity to sit down with my fourteen-year-old self, I would do it instantly. Being in your early teens is such an interesting time in a girl’s life, and she deserves to know it all works out. When I entered high school, the global pandemic we all lovingly called COVID-19 had just ended. I also just transferred from a public middle school to an all-girls catholic high school. My parents let me choose which Catholic school in our area I wanted to attend. Before and even during my time at Our Lady of Mercy, I thought I had made the wrong choice. Today, I can proudly say I made the best choice for myself. Â
Our Lady of Mercy prepared me for college; the way my teachers graded papers and tests is similar to how my current professors do. Of course, I had one teacher who swore that once we were in college, professors would not deal with certain behaviors. Yet, we all have that one professor who lets us call them by their first name. I was truly taught how to be independent and handle my academics during my high school career. I did not have teachers chasing me to hand in late assignments or even post constant reminders about tests. I honestly think I had more homework in high school than I do now in college! While my teachers expected me to be independent, they also deeply cared for each one of us. My AP Euro teacher made us gifts for Christmas, before the AP exam, and on the last day of school. One time when we were all really stressed, she put on baby sensory videos to calm us down. My Art teacher never failed to make us laugh and feel as if she were someone we could go to if needed. There were many times I ate lunch in her class when I needed a break.  If I had to pick someone who was the most important part of my high school experience, I would credit my coach. “You’re tough as nails,” and “You can’t take care of others unless you take care of yourself first, like when you’re on a plane that’s going down,” are some still some of the things that I continue to tell myself today. The people around me, whether that’s a teacher or peer, have and continue to shape me. While I do not see the ones who truly helped me become the young woman I am today, I carry on the lessons they have instilled in me.Â
Coming out of COVID-19, I did and still struggle with social anxiety. Being trapped in a house with the same two people for months on end does start to drive someone mad. It also makes you feel so awkward when it comes to making new friends. To make matters worse, my graduating class had 50 girls. In my sophomore year, I had every class with the same girl. I was with her every minute of every day for 180 days straight. This made it difficult for me moving to college, not only did I have to be in class with men for the first time in four years, but I also had to meet new people and learn how to begin a friendship. Luckily, I have found a loving group of people I can lean on and share every thought with. I had to teach myself that not everyone will be your friend, and not everyone will like you. The most important thing is quality, not quantity, and to always be true to yourself. Someone who loves you, whether that is platonically or romantically, won’t mind the quirky things you do. Someone who loves you will want to hear your thoughts and opinions. Someone who loves you will stay with you because they want to, not because they have to.  Â
Most importantly, I would tell myself; it all works out. You will end up exactly where you are meant to be and make sure to look around and enjoy life. You shouldn’t stress the trivial things; you’re only a teen once, and I promise you no one is going to remember the time you walked out of dance class with your skirt tucked into your shorts. Do the things you think are “cringe” or “embarrassing” because I promise those are the best memories you’ll make and the best stories you’ll tell. Many of us have stayed the same because we did not do the thing that scared us. As Carrie Fisher once said, “Stay afraid, but do it anyway.” You think you will end up at a college far from home, but the city calls for you. So don’t be afraid to look at Manhattan University.Â