Priti's Corner

"

One of the biggest lies we're told in high school is that you should already know what you want to be. That if you haven't decided your major, your career path, your entire future — you're somehow behind.

You're not behind. You're exactly where you're supposed to be.

Figuring yourself out takes time, and that process looks different for everyone. The goal right now isn't to have all the answers — it's to stay curious, keep trying new things, and pay attention to what lights you up. Clarity comes through action, not waiting.

Take a breath. Give yourself permission to explore. The path will reveal itself as you walk it.

"

I remember opening a college prep checklist for the first time and feeling my stomach drop. Essays. Standardized tests. Transcripts. Letters of recommendation. Financial aid. It felt like an impossible mountain.

But here's what nobody tells you: you don't climb the mountain all at once. You take one step.

Start by making a simple list of schools you're curious about — not schools you think you should want, but ones that genuinely interest you. Look at what they offer. Imagine yourself there. That's it. That's step one.

The rest will unfold. And if you ever feel stuck, that's exactly what The Lotus Project is here for. You don't have to navigate this alone.

"

When I was in high school, I thought internships were something you worried about in college. I was wrong — and I wish someone had told me that earlier.

Internships and opportunities you pursue in high school do a few powerful things. They show colleges that you take initiative. They give you real-world skills that no class can teach. They help you discover what you actually enjoy — and sometimes, what you don't. And they build your network before most people even realize networking matters.

The best part? You don't need connections or a perfect resume to start. You need curiosity, a willingness to reach out, and someone to guide you on how to do it. That's where I come in.

If finding opportunities feels intimidating, let's work on it together. There are more doors open to you than you realize.

"

Some days, the weight of it all — school, expectations, the pressure to figure out your future — can feel genuinely crushing. And on those days, I want you to know something important: feeling overwhelmed doesn't mean you're failing. It means you care.

Give yourself permission to slow down. Rest is not a setback — it's part of the process. You cannot pour from an empty cup, and you cannot build your future from a place of complete exhaustion.

You are doing better than you think. And on the days when that's hard to believe, come back here. This corner will always be waiting for you — with no judgment, no pressure, just a reminder that you are more than enough exactly as you are.