No Means Yes? by Christina

No Means Yes? by Christina - July 2016 Scholarship Essay

“To be told ‘no’ is half the battle”

As I heard my teacher say this to me as I was explaining my worries to her, I was puzzled. Never had I heard an adult expressing a negative scenario in a positive way. What prompted the conversation was my anxiety over competing against other students for scholarships. I had a desire to attend college but my finances discouraged me from even attempting to apply.

My computer teacher was helping others find scholarships as well, most of them had been accepted to the local university. As for me, I was torn between standing alone in competition for scholarly funds and risking rejection or entering the workforce with no prospect of college level academia. Thankfully, she spoke the words that I would never forget. ‘No,’ in this sense, was just a word to make you stronger. ‘No,’ was, in a way, my validated parking ticket, reminding me that I had mentally traveled and experienced new ground. ‘No’ isn't forever, it’s just ‘half the battle’ in learning, adapting, and maturing in your academics.

I’ve heard of the saying ‘the worst they can say is ‘no,’” but I never had it put to me the other way around. It sounds to me like the “cup is half full” versus “half empty.” Her point wasn’t only to make me feel better but to teach me a sense of empowerment for the long haul. To be told ‘no’ is truly better than wondering if you could ever be capable of being rewarded a scholarship at all. Her lesson was indeed inspiring although I didn't see it right away. It took me a few ‘noes’ to be able to say ‘yes’ to every chance I had and it hasn't failed me yet.