Student Life
Life @ SC
The Future and the Past are Complicated
When we were young, all we wanted was to grow up. We dreamed about freedom, independence, and the ability to make our own choices. We imagined a life where we could do whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted. Being older seemed exciting, no rules, no limits, just opportunity. But what we didn’t realize at the time was that in wishing our childhood away, we were also wishing away some of the simplest, happiest moments of our lives.
Some of the best examples of how simple life once was come from the memories we share with the people who have been there from the very beginning. To put this in another perspective I’ll talk about my best friend Frank, we met in kindergarten, and now, at 18 years old, every time we spend time together and pass by our old elementary school, we can’t help but reflect on how different life felt. At that time, everything was so much simpler. Our biggest problem was deciding whether to play soccer or basketball at lunch. There were no real worries, no pressure, and no expectations weighing us down.
Most importantly, no one cared about how they looked or what they wore. It was a place where everyone could just be themselves without fear of judgment.
Back then, those moments felt ordinary, just a simple part of our everyday routine. Looking back, we realize they were never ordinary at all. They were the moments that shaped us, the ones we took for granted and the ones we would give anything to experience again, which is why it is so important to appreciate them while we still can.
As we grow older, life starts to change, and things aren’t as simple as they used to be. When we were younger, we didn’t worry about the future, responsibilities or pressure. Now those things are part of our everyday lives. School gets more stressful, decisions feel more meaningful, and there’s always this feeling of trying to figure out what comes next.
For example, many of us are dealing with the stress and uncertainty of university and what the future holds. Life feels like it’s moving faster than ever, and those childhood moments seem like they passed in the blink of an eye.
Because of this, we begin to understand that growing up isn’t just about gaining more freedom, but also about facing more responsibility and pressure.
Although the life I imagined years ago seems different now, I wouldn’t change it for anything. Making countless amazing memories over the past three years, whether it be from the sports, school, clubs or the relationships you make along the way, growing up is a privilege to be taken advantage of. It makes us realize that life doesn’t suddenly become better as we get older, it just becomes different.
That’s why it’s so important to find value in every stage of life instead of always believing that the next one will be better.
Maybe the truth is there’s never a “perfect” time in life. When we’re young, we want to grow up, and when we’re older, we wish we could go back. So instead of always looking ahead or behind, maybe what really matters is learning to live right in the moment we’re in. Because one day, without even realizing it, the life we’re living right now will become a memory too.
I would like to end my speech with a quote from Robert Brault, an American writer known for his meaningful reflections on life, “Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.”
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