A Letter to My Future Self

Dear Sejal,

It's you from 2021. I am finally graduating this year! The day I have been anticipating- the last day of my high school and K-12 education. After 13 years of snoozing alarm clocks, waking up at 7 am, cramming for finals and exams, and in the case of this year- zoom classes- it is almost time for graduation. Writing this last blog post, I am kind of taken aback at how far I have come and the lessons I have learned. 

I cannot imagine where you are right now but if the plan in my head follows through you would be a surgical oncologist working on cancer research and living life to your fullest. I have such high aspirations for my future, and I really hope that even a small fraction of my dreams come true. But, just in case you are feeling a little nostalgic for your high school days let me share a little bit about what I have learned these past four years.

Sejal's Takeaway #1: High School is what you make it

I know, I know, how generic could this be?! But it is so true. I'm sure you remember being an overeager freshman signing up for every single club or finishing your homework weeks in advance. Well I owe it all to her. She was the reason I meet so many of my closest friends and joined the clubs that bring me so much joy. Whenever I would hear older students talk about "the best four years of their life", my expectations of what high school should be like went through the roof. But as time went on, I realized that by joining these small clubs and reaching out to the kids in my class, I was taking the steps to make my high school experience the best four years of my life. What I am really wondering now is, are you as fond of your high school memories in the future as I am of them right now? I am so scared to take the next steps into my college career because I have found the most amazing people and the perfect community for me to thrive in and I am scared to mess up a perfect thing. I wish I could just talk to you know and get all the answers- but I guess the best things are left unknown. 

Sejal Takeway #2: You are who you hang out with

Coming into high school, I think every freshman is worried about making friends and being liked. But for me, I had my three besties: Ashley, Elayni, and Neha to face that with. But after some time, we were ready to take that uneasy step and broaden our friend group and open ourselves to others. It was during this time that we found the people that we now call family. Like any other cheesy friendgroup, we took the first initials of each of our names to make the title: MAPLE SNAACK. Little did I know how much these 10 people would affect my life. Do you still remember all the memories you had with them? Like when we went to spring break, or how we would have car circles practically every day during quarantine. I hope you never forget the little things you picked up from each of them along your way and most importantly I hope you keep in touch with the people who will always have a place in your heart. Are your friends now just as meaningful to you as the ones you had in high school. I really hope so, because as I'm writing this post, I think that leaving these guys might be the hardest thing I have to do.

And finally that brings us to...

Sejal Takeaway #3: You are your greatest ally

As you know, you are the person that knows you best. Assuming that you went through medical school and residency, I am sure you realized that no matter how mnay friends you have, being comfortable with yourself is one of the most important things you can learn. It took me so long to be okay with spending quality time with myself. It doesn't make me antisocial or introverted but it lets me understand what I need or want to survive and enjoy my life. In high school, as I'm sure you remember, you had a hard time accepting your faults and realizing that not everyone or everything needs to be perfect. Had I known that I could have done so much more if I had only been more myself or more open to more opportunities, I would have become my own ally much earlier? I really hope that in the future you have learned to be less harsh on yourself and learn to take care of yourself academically, socially, and even emotionally. 

So overall, I have to just give one final thanks to high school for making me the person I am today. I really hope you agree as my future self and are just as successful as I hope you'd be! And as always thanks to everyone for reading my final blog post for Storytime with Sejal! It's been such an amazing journey.