I grew a lot throughout high school, and senior year was the culmination of that change.

I used to doubt myself a lot, questioning everything I did and wondering if it was "okay." It felt like I was constantly putting on a show, pretending to be what people expected me to be, but I shouldn't have done that. I should have listened to myself. You can't let other people decide what's important for you. Take the time to reflect on what really matters, and focus on that. Trust yourself, and everything else will follow.

You may find yourself discouraged a lot while pursuing what you want, but every setback is another obstacle to overcome–another challenge to make you stronger–and you're stronger than you think.

Savor this year and make the most of. It's a bittersweet time full of irreversible change, and that can be scary, but it can also be great. Sometimes we are our own worst enemy, holding ourselves back. If you find yourself doing that, take this letter as a sign to finally let go. I say that this is the year to become everything you've ever wanted to be. Life flies by–don't just watch it.

Remember that you're not alone in this either. Right now, your friends and family are a safety net to fall back on. Remember that they're there.

(Also, get started on those college applications as soon as possible. They take longer than you'd think.)

Best of luck,

Cassidy Zeng