Dear past Emma,
Going into grade nine isn’t anything you should worry about. You’ll make the switch just fine, you’re smart and you’re motivated and you’re going to be very successful. Where you are now is nothing compared to where you’ll be in the next few years. Everything hard is going to clear up and it’s nothing you’re going to have to deal with soon. Sticking around the friends you’ve had and who’ve been there for you is exactly what you need to do and you’re going to meet one of the best friends ever. You should join soccer earlier; it’s going to be one of the best things you try and you’ll regret not trying it sooner. Along with that, try out for drama sooner, don’t be embarrassed by anything. Joining choir and chamber choir is going to be incredibly beneficial towards your social anxiety and bringing up your confidence. School spirit is so fun and nothing to be embarrassed about, in fact it makes the moments better and more memorable.
Spend more time with your dogs, you’re going to miss it if you don’t. They love you. You’re really going to love your grade twelve Catholic Studies teacher and he’s going to help you to realize that teaching is the future for you and something you think you will excel at. Enjoy every moment with your friends and your family, because sometimes you’re not going to be able to see everyone every day. You’re going to miss those moments when the four strangers in a lecture auditorium were the 20 people you grew up with in the Frenchies classroom (don’t let that number of people freak you out, it’s fine, it’s just not like home). I know that you’ve been scared for a long time about growing up. Even though it is scary at times, it has the best moments. Enjoy high school for what it is — another great learning experience in life. Just know that at the end of the day, life will get figured out even in the most unexpected ways. Have fun in school and be relieved to know that you finally knew what you wanted to do in university, and it’s great.
Love,
Future Emma
Emma's Teaching Corner 