Letter to Younger Self Rachel Rapose

As I write to you, awaiting the day to walk across the stage one more time, I hope you know how proud you will be of the person you have become. You came to college wanting to be an elementary teacher, and through trials and tribulations, you are doing it. You have grown more than you could ever imagine. The past four years have taught you about yourself, both personally and professionally. You were able to finish your degree on time, excelling in your residency placement, and gaining valuable information to carry into being the best teacher you can, all while building friendships that will last a lifetime.

You started your college career as the shy, quiet person you had always been, thinking that would be the easiest way to get those perfect grades you were used to. You kept your head down, stayed in the back, doing anything and everything to not be seen. You studied, prepared, and still found yourself disappointed time and time again. There were times when you questioned whether or not everything was worth it, but I am proof to tell you that it is. You pushed yourself harder each semester, through the doubt, exhaustion, and setbacks you used to believe were there to make you fail. Every challenge taught you how to adapt and overcome things you used to struggle with.

As you became stronger in your studies, you became a more confident version of yourself. You put yourself into the spotlight, leaving your comfort zone in the back corner. You leaped to put yourself into situations where making new friends and building new connections were the only options, something you would have run away from. Doing this allowed you to meet people who appreciated you for everything you brought to the table. They were there for you during the good and the bad, the rough and the easy, something you never would have expected to gain when coming to college. The more time you spent with them, the more confident you became. You ended up with a tight group of people who were your biggest cheerleaders and turned you into the best version of yourself.

As I end this letter, I hope you know that all of the scary, unpredictable times coming ahead are there to push you to the moment that you have dreamed of since you were a little girl: you are finally getting to teach the children you have always wanted to reach. Don't let the hard times stop you; use them as motivation to push through and be you. You will love who you become.

With love,

Rachel