High school is a quite the journey—four years packed with change and growth, failures and triumphs. As seniors prepare to close this chapter and step into what is to come, they’ve taken a moment to look back who they were when it all began. In the letters that follow, of the Class of 2025 write to their freshman selves with the honesty only hindsight can bring. They share the lessons they’ve learned, the pain they’ve overcome, the friendships that shaped them, and the strength they discovered along the way. Scroll down to read letters from Meerab Chaudry, Ivan Chin, Evelyn Dito, Alyssa Osso, and Thiara Acosta!
Meerab Chaudhry
Hi, it‘s me again. You probably have an abundant amount of questions in efforts to escape your uncertainty right now. There‘s so much that I wish I could yell through my exceeding words, yet I’ve come to the conclusion that some things are better left unknown. Maybe not knowing what might unfold your years in high school right after the move is for the better; as much as I avoid acknowledging it, look at me now more than ever. A grown and an unknown reflection of yourself that you’ve yet to discover. Through the upcoming tears and doubts, everything will always be worth it.
You’re entering freshman year of high school, running from your past yet clinging to your mistakes. Don’t hold onto the habits that haunt you— not even in this suburban town. Y es, you will definitely miss your adventurous freedom in the city streets— even 4 years later you crave it— but this will be the change you need.
That doesn’t necessarily mean that you won’t make mistakes or face challenges, that will change you for the better, you don’t understand. Change is inevitable and my most sincere truth to you is that you need to accept it.
Finding yourself will be the cherry on the cake for you because it means loving every part of yourself that no one else accepts. It means celebrating your Pakistani heritage and embarking on learning about your faith. It means surrounding yourself with people that appreciate who you are— as cringy as it may sound— and guide you to be better. There’s so many examples I can give you, but where would be the fun in that? What I can tell you is that you will meet the kindred spirit that you’ve always yearned for, stolen just like you to this quiet town.
You will forget the troubled past and abandonment, everything feels just right however small it may be.
Although, the natural occurrence of life and turmoil might roll your way, just promise to hold those dear to your heart close.
Diving deeper, I want to rant and rant about this new profound freedom you will experience, running to spontaneous trips with your friends and frolicking around the city with your soulmate. You will get the things you’ve always wanted with its due time. Museum hopping and trying every restaurant and cafe you find near.
Most importantly, it will be with the people who will make time fly like a bird. With your sheep and Api, the laughs you will let out and even the ugly tears will be the shaper of your new self. Oh, and yes, you’re a rapid coffee addict headed to your dream school, NYU. I know it might sound surreal to hear even now but your adventure in Astor Pl with Api and talks about going to the school is now your reality. Though I do want to clarify that I’m still not sure about my path from here (an undecided legend), but I trust Allah’s plan more now than ever.
Let the future be a mystery and time take its course. I will tell you what I wish I could’ve heard multiple times. You are enough and all your imperfections and strengths will be accepted by the people who deserve to be in your life. I can’t stress this next part enough, hold true to your dreams and yourself, because nothing and I repeat nothing is more important than being honest and selfish to who you want to be. Be present and be kind, no regrets will stem from there. I know you will do great things, and I surely know there is so much more better things in store for us
Ivan Chin
Dear Past Me,
Hi! It’s me, from the future (let us ignore the laws of the universe really quickly). I know high school is a confusing time, and I wish I had a letter just like this back when I was in your shoes. Only you and I know how rough times were back then, and I hope this letter can resonate with you and whoever else that may come across it.
First of all, be fine with failure. I remember how afraid you were of doing things wrong, and because of that, you didn’t have much of a drive to push yourself. I’m here to tell you that you should push yourself, take harder classes, do more extracurriculars, and don’t be afraid of failure. I personally thought I took too long to push myself, and I’m telling you now that you should too. You don’t need a GPA over a 100, or any cool fancy title. You just need to put more effort in things, even the things you’re currently doing now. Doesn’t have to be something new.
The best part about doing more is that you achieve things that you once thought you could never do. It changes how you view yourself for the better.
Secondly, don’t be afraid to reach out. You were always so shy, and it took you a while to finally come out of your shell. You always felt lonely and thought that everyone would easily forget about you. Yet, this was never true. People have better memory than you think, and you just have to trust that. By reaching out more, you could’ve made so many more friends than you think. One of my biggest regrets as a senior now is having supportive friends that I could’ve made so much earlier in my life if I was just braver. Don’t wait, you only matter to other people if you matter to yourself to begin with.
Finally, and most importantly, nobody is perfect. You’d always perceive everyone else as perfect, except for yourself. Stop putting yourself down all the time, and it’s ok to not be as busy as your peers. I’m telling you now that everyone is just as clueless as you are, and there are no experts in life. Never compare yourself to anybody else, only compare yourself to yourself in the past. You can better yourself by just reflecting on what you’ve done and what you can do.
High school is gonna bring a lot of surprises, both good and bad. You’re going to leave high school a completely different person, so different that you won’t even recognize yourself, and that’s ok! What matters now is how you react to them, and what you do with them. Stay true to yourself and never try to hurt anyone. Also, when you turn 16, please get your driving permit as soon as possible. It’ll come in handy, trust me.
—I.C.
Evelyn Dito
Dear Evelyn from Freshman Year,
Girl. You’re not even Evelyn yet, you need to transition EXPEDITIOUSLY. Ok you know that but seriously, trust yourself and be confident in your decisions because you’re a star and you’re not allowing yourself to be one! I wish I could make you realize sooner that you have so much further to go. Your time is not up even though it may feel like it right now; you have a whole lifetime ahead of you and you’re only going to keep getting more amazing! I have a hard time accepting that even now, so please don’t be too hard on yourself. It takes time!!!!
You’re going to go through the worst of it freshman year, but I promise it gets better. In your position I would’ve doubted that but look at us now!!!! I can’t wait for you to realize your potential and become comfortable with yourself. Even now, I admire your strength and relentlessness that made us the woman we are today.
Please be easy on yourself, you’re going through a lot more than most ever do and you have no reason to be ashamed of yourself whatsoever. You are going to be amazing throughout your life and do not let anyone, ESPECIALLY YOURSELF, tell you otherwise!
Love,
Evelyn.
P.S. Do not worry about what any of the people you’re worried about right now think of you, they are literally so futureless and miserable. I wish I could time travel and just tell you that because you need to hear it. Don’t feel like you need to hold on to people that are actively rooting against you!
Alyssa Osso
Dear Freshman Self,
Wow, four years have really gone by since I was where you are right now. Over the next few years, whenever anyone tells you high school goes fast, believe them. It truly flies by before your eyes. Take in every moment, every late-night doing homework, every second spent laughing with friends, every minute walking through the halls and moving from desk to desk. Before you know it, you’ll be picking out a prom dress and preparing yourself to walk across the stage to be handed your diploma.
At this moment, the list of things to accomplish prior to June 2025 may feel nothing short of daunting, nonetheless, never let it discourage or overwhelm you. This may seem like an impossible task, but, believe it or not, everything happens when it’s meant to. One grade is not the end-all-be-all because, in the end, your time spent at Carey will matter far beyond a GPA. Never stop challenging yourself, whether it be with harder classes or new extracurriculars. Yet, also remember that your resume does not define you, so do not put too much on your plate solely for the sake of adding one more activity to your college application.
Overall, just do the best you can to enjoy each moment you have from ninth to twelfth grade. Within the blink of an eye, 2025 will arrive and you’ll be moving on to the next chapter of your life.
Best of luck in everything you do in the future!
From your Senior Self,
Alyssa
Thiara Acosta
Dear Freshman Thiara,
I find that I am constantly thinking of you; even when I don’t realize I am. It has felt like forever since I was fourteen, but I can still remember all that you endured so that I could be where and who I am today. In truth, I feel that I owe you my everything. I understand — more than anyone — how lost and alone you feel, and I know that this overwhelming isolation isn’t forever. Your lack of belonging is not because you’re unworthy of it, but it’s because you’ve yet to find it.
Maybe you don’t see it now, but I do; I feel embedded in this community, so much so that it’s almost a bit embarrassing. I’m not overtaken by “Seahawk pride”, but by my adoration for the friendships I have fostered in my years here. It is in these halls that I have blossomed into who I am, and it is here where I have found a community of individuals who I so deeply admire and love.
Although you cannot see it now, I promise you your future’s so beautiful and bright. You dream of a tomorrow that I always strove to give you; and I hope you’re proud of me for finally bringing those aspirations to fruition. At fourteen, you seem to already know all that you want to become, and at eighteen those dreams haven’t changed — but rather transformed into something greater. Something that is within your grasp and feels capable of achieving.
The darkness that envelops you now is only temporary, for soon those dark clouds will soon lift and you will be bathed in the light of a bright future, I am indebted to you for all you’ve accomplished — and soon you’ll see all that you have yet to achieve.
With love,
Senior you.
Xox.