Unsatisfactory Driving Test by Kayla

Unsatisfactory Driving Test by Kayla - May 2022 Scholarship Essay

“You will never pass!” my driving instructor proclaimed in Vietnamese after I failed my first behind-the-wheel test. I got my permit in 2019, but it expired during the pandemic. When I got my permit renewed in 2021, I was still struggling with driving anxiety. I believed his statement was true and that I cannot drive myself to work as an aspiring elementary school teacher. Nevertheless, I pushed myself to conquer my fear. After I failed my driving test on the first attempt, I learned that persistence is necessary to accomplish a goal—personal, academic, or occupational—so I will never give up on my dreams and always push myself to my limits.

After hearing the driving examiner’s feedback, my task was to improve my areas of weakness so that I could pass my next driving test. My driving instructor scheduled more lessons, and I continued with a growth mindset. I was always stuck in the tyranny of now, so I rewired my brain to focus on the power of not yet: “I have not passed my driving test YET.” Strength comes from within the mind first; my body will follow suit. My instructor went over my errors on the test, and we rectified those areas. Every time I made a mistake, I redid the motion to build my muscle memory. The actions I took were practicing sharp right turns and decreasing my speed in parking lots. I also worked on parking since that required steering the wheel rapidly numerous times. I enjoyed the challenge, seeing as how I learned from my mistakes and was more prepared for my second behind-the-wheel test. With my newfound dexterity, I became confident in my skills and was steadily overcoming my driving anxiety.

As a result, I passed my driving test on September 7, 2021. Despite my instructor’s harsh words, I was able to rise above them. In fact, it drove me to persist in driving and pass my driving test. My persistence then led me to earn my driver’s license, which is the tangible manifestation of my attitude towards my goals. I will use this lesson to help me move forward by accepting criticism and seeking solutions. I know that if I create an action plan to ameliorate my weaknesses, I will reach my goal. The lesson made me stronger as a person because it bolstered my mind framework to tackle challenges; the lesson also prepared me for life since I know I can handle whatever comes my way with my work ethic.

As I continue my education in Child and Adolescent Development as a first-generation college student, I know that life will get in the way of my dreams. I may have difficult classes with tough exams. My supervisor may not see my potential when observing me as a student teacher and try to knock me down with negativity. I may run into trouble with standardized state assessments to become licensed as an elementary school teacher. However, these are merely hurdles I will jump over. There is no such thing as overnight success. Everything worth attaining requires trying over and over again. I will encounter failure countless times in life, but I will always have another chance. It does not matter how long it takes me to fulfill a goal because the outcome matters more. I am going at my own pace, and my journey is my journey alone. Thanks to my failed driving test, I realized how persistence is the only attribute needed to triumph over trials, which will help me move on from my mistakes and cultivate strength internally and externally.