It is near the end of 2021.

The pandemic which started in the beginning of 2020 , has not only
brought me financial and academic challenges but also showed me the importance of
education. In my last academic year, I maintained fairly good grades and it was all through hard
work and determination . I got out of my comfort zone and tried something new too . I
participated in a leadership election and got to be the Treasurer and Year 9 Representative of
the EcoSchools Community. The experience I got from working with them has been beyond
rewarding and fulfilling. I do have my regrets as well . I wished I had spent more time on my
personal development to better understand myself but there is one thing I've learned as a
student , schools are really just the safest platforms for you to make as many mistakes as you
can and learn from them . It is an institution that teaches us resilience, how to bounce back from
failure . We should never be afraid to try because even if we make mistakes, those mistakes
won't hurt us as they would in real life.

In this new academic year , I hope I won’t repeat the mistakes from my past and continuously
put in the same amount of effort as last year, in school. I’d also like to beat procrastination and
see some improvements in my time management skills . I am feeling a little bit skeptical towards
the new unfamiliar environment after changing classes but I think I'll be fine , at least I hope . I
am definitely going to try out for certain leadership positions again this year . Nevertheless, I’m
looking forward to when the pandemic ends and it all goes back to normal . I can’t wait to play
netball with my friends again without all the social distancing restrictions .

To myself this year ,

Please keep reading , please continue to be curious about new things , please remain serious in
your studies , and please carry on working on your personal growth . If you’re looking for new
skills or hobbies , you should probably look into business or financial literacy . For skills , you
can learn hand-signing or lip reading , and maybe a little bit about human body language .If
you’d like to motivate yourself to be better, always remember that as Marilyn Monroe once said ,
“being average is boring” .

To myself in one year,

I hope you understand how important your IGCSEs are and that you’re studying hard for it . Also
remember that you’ll have to decide whether or not you’d like to take your A levels . If you do ,
make sure you study for it too . I hope you have a good university in mind and make sure it goes
with your ambitions . Currently, i’m thinking of medical school but i’m not sure if the “me” in one
year would have a different plan in mind but all the best to you and remember to look for as
many scholarships as you can . They are really going to come in handy . Focus on your
personal development and always try to stand out in school by participating in leadership
opportunities and contributing to the school anyway you can . Please go to an education
counselor if you’re unsure of what you’re supposed to do.

To my future self in 5 years ,

I guess you’re studying in a medical school now . I hope you chose somewhere good abroad .
Do you have a decent job to support yourself ? Do you have a place to stay ? Well , I sincerely
hope you do . I hope you’re getting enough sleep and taking good care of your mental health .
My advice to you is to look out for volunteer or research experiences (universities, hospitals,
shelters, etc.) and you should also consider investing because it’ll really help in the long run. I
hope your life is balanced , I hope you still have a good relationship with your family, and I hope
things aren’t too hard for you in university . Always remember to love yourself and that it’s not
selfish to rest once in a while .

To Chloe in 10 years ,
I bet you’re doing well in residency . You’re a grown woman now so I guess you’re very
disciplined and responsible. Just know that your young 15 year old self is looking up to you and
feeling proud that you’ve become everything you wanted to . Remember ! Early preparations for
your final boards avoids last minute cramming or rushing through topics . Please adopt a pet if
you somehow got depression . Get a hamster or something because it’ll help you ease your
loneliness and reduce anxiety . But make sure that you’re stable , in terms of money. Whenever
you’re feeling unmotivated and think that you’re never going to get through this , trust me , it
does . Think back of all the times you felt this way . I can assure you’re going to figure it out
regardless . This is how far you came and I am proud of you .