A few weeks ago, I hosted three girls in my apartment as they visited SLU and interviewed for a scholarship. They asked me the standard questions, like if I enjoyed my classes, what social activities there were to do on campus, how is the food. But then they asked me something I never really thought about: If I had to do it all over again, would I?

Truthfully, I didn't divulge everything. I didn't tell them about the time I set my frying pan on fire and almost burned down my apartment. I didn't tell them that one time my computer really did destroy my document, and I had nothing to show for it. I didn't tell them sometimes I studied very hard and didn't make the grade. I didn't tell them about all the nights I stressed out that I just simply wasn't going to make it.

But then it got me thinking. Do we really get second chances? Is the question of doing it all over again even relevant? Looking back to my first week here, I hardly recognize that person. Sure, to everyone outside, I seem pretty much the same. Inside, though, I'm radically different.

Freshman year was great: I got along well with my roommate, I enjoyed my classes, things couldn't have been better. Sophomore year changed everything. Suddenly, the girl who had everything figured out wasn't really sure about anything at all. Classes were brutal, volunteering took out two afternoons every week, sleeping and eating were afterthoughts I wished I had made priorities.

I made bad choices. Taking physics over the summer while working part-time as a lab assistant and shadowing physicians all at the same time was stupid. Not asking for help when I needed it sophomore year was worse-being proud, stubborn and scared certainly didn't help things any. However, the worst mistake I made was dwelling on the past. It didn't change anything and contrary to what we sometimes think, punishing ourselves doesn't necessarily translate into success later on.

I started to wonder how much better things would have been if I hadn't made all those choices. But, really, if I didn't make those mistakes, I would have made other ones, because that's the way the world works. In one sense, every day is a second chance. In fact, it's a third and fourth and fifth chance. There's no limit to how many do-overs we're allowed. There are some things you can't take back-getting in a car wreck, hurting someone you love and taking for granted something you shouldn't have. Nevertheless, you can always change your outlook and perspective on what's happening. That control over your heart and mind is yours alone. You can change your attitude and opinion infinitely many times-that's your prerogative.

I heard somewhere that life is just a handful of really big days with the mundane stuff stuck between them. I don't know that I agree with that, though. I mean, you never really get to those one or two big days without doing the little things every day. Passing your bar exam doesn't happen without regular preparation. Having a lasting marriage takes patience and forgiveness, not just a wedding ceremony. I know it sounds cheesy, but I believe anything is possible.

If Japan and Germany can rebuild their nations in less than a century after two atomic bombs and multiple fire-bombings, respectively, if Lance Armstrong can overcome cancer to win the Tour de France five times, if Israel and Palestine can try a ceasefire, then we can definitely make smaller changes every day that ultimately add up, shaping who we are.

We are young and have lots of opportunities-but who's to say that choice is limited by age? Yes, in obvious ways, we are physically and mentally more fit now than we will be when we're 80. But time is a restriction we put on ourselves-it doesn't have to be our enemy.

Before my high school guests came to visit, I don't know how I would have answered that question. Now I feel comfortable with my response. I didn't think so at the time I was making some choices, but I'm really happy with the way things turned out. I guess I would do it all again-if I hadn't, I don't know that I would be here in the way that I am now. Hopefully, they'll be able to give the same reply one day.

Maryam Zia is a senior studying biology and Spanish.