When Michelle from Minneapolis picked up a book at her local thrift store, she stumbled upon a surprise. Inside the book, she discovered a handwritten note, a message she described as a ‘pure luck’ find.
Michelle detailed her discovery to Newsweek, explaining she found handwritten notes tucked inside the pages. At the top of the note was an affirmation that read, ‘I am smart. I am calm. I’ve worked hard to prepare. I’ve got this.’
The note documented an individual’s journey with MCAT scores, which improved from 515, 519, and 523 in practice exams to impressive scores of 525 and 528 in real exams. It also tracked medical school applications, listing both acceptances and rejections. Schools like Harvard Medical School, Johns Hopkins, Mayo Clinic, the University of Iowa, and Creighton University were noted as acceptances.
Michelle realized the note illustrated someone’s path through medical school applications. It even contained a humorous self-reflection on whether the writer liked people enough to be a doctor, alongside a Plan B to explore veterinary medicine.
Michelle found joy in this time capsule of someone’s life, including practice MCAT scores, encouraging notes, and eventual acceptance into various schools.
It felt like finding a little time capsule of someone else’s life.
Posting a photo of the note on Reddit under the username lemonspriggs, Michelle’s post went viral with over 7,500 upvotes. Soon after, she received an unexpected message from the note’s original owner.
The note writer commented, ‘This is so surreal … that’s my note.’ Her husband recognized the notes and sent her the Reddit post, prompting her to create an account just to respond. Her message added depth to the story.
She explained how she used affirmations during her anxious study periods for the MCAT. Now 34, she became a doctor, but not in the way expected. She pursued infectious disease specialization and operates a research lab, focusing on zoonotic diseases and biodefense issues.
The woman expressed gratitude to Michelle for the chance to revisit her past self, one who was frightened but persevered.
She also shared advice for those studying for the MCAT or pursuing distant dreams. Her message was simple: ‘keep going.’ Late nights, small triumphs, and personal notes were all part of the journey, leading to eventual success.
The experience highlighted the positive side of social media connections, as Michelle realized through the response.
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