Finding My Way Through the Noise: Lessons from Junior & Senior Year

“Not all those who wander are lost.” - J.R.R. Tolkien

If you had asked me at the start of junior year where I thought I’d be by now, I would’ve given you a neat, confident answer. A clear college list. A perfect plan. A version of myself that had it all figured out.

That’s not how it went, and honestly, I’m glad.

2025 became a defining year for me. Between launching my podcast, competing in tournaments, navigating the pressure of junior and senior year, and now standing at the edge of college decisions, I’ve learned that growth rarely looks organized. It looks messy, overwhelming, and deeply personal.

The Podcast : Finding My Voice Before Finding My Path

Starting my podcast wasn’t about building a brand or chasing numbers. It was about asking questions I didn’t yet have answers to. About vulnerability, ambition, pressure, and what it means to grow up in a world that expects certainty far too early.

Through conversations and reflection, I realized something important:You don’t need to be “done becoming” to be worth listening to.

The podcast became a space where I could be honest, not just with an audience, but with myself. It taught me confidence, communication, and the power of storytelling. I’ll carry these skills far beyond high school.

Competition, Tournaments, and Learning to Redefine Success

Tournaments taught me discipline, resilience, and how to lose without losing myself. They also forced me to confront an uncomfortable truth: tying your self-worth entirely to performance is exhausting.

Some days I won. Some days I didn’t. But every experience showed me that success isn’t just about outcomes, it’s about showing up even when you’re tired, unsure, or scared.

That lesson matters now more than ever as I prepare for college, where comparison and pressure only intensify.

The Junior–Senior Year Shift No One Warns You About

Somewhere between junior and senior year, the question changes from

“What do you like?”

to

“What are you going to do with your life?”

It’s a heavy shift.

Suddenly, passion has to justify practicality. Interests are weighed against acceptance rates. And it’s easy to forget that we’re still learning who we are.

What I’ve learned is this: uncertainty is not failure. It’s proof you’re thinking deeply.

Protecting Mental Health While Chasing Big Goals

Ambition is powerful but without boundaries, it can burn you out.

This year taught me to protect my mental health with the same seriousness I protect my goals. That meant:

• Learning when to rest without guilt

• Saying no when my plate was already full

• Separating my value from productivity

• Asking for help instead of pretending I was fine

Mental strength isn’t about pushing endlessly. It’s about knowing when to pause.

Looking Ahead to College (Without Rushing the Answer)

As I am figuring out my college path, I’m learning to trust that clarity comes from experience, not pressure. I don’t need every answer right now. I just need to stay curious, grounded, and open.

If there’s one thing this journey has taught me, it’s that growth isn’t linear and that’s okay.

To anyone navigating big decisions while trying to stay mentally healthy:

you’re not behind, you’re becoming.

And sometimes, that’s the most important work of all.