From Failure To Success by Makayla

From Failure To Success by Makayla - December 2016 Scholarship Essay

High school is a place where memories are made. A time when scholars become young adults and students become more aware of themselves and their surroundings. In the midst of making great memories some people do experience let downs and other failures as well. I played volleyball for ten years and once I tried out for a competitive volleyball team I was told that I made a nationals team, but later found that I could no longer play on the team because I did not do good enough to keep a spot on a team. Failures like this will later be looked at as pure motivation and for a person to do nothing more but strive for greatness.
During high school I played for both the school volleyball team as well as competitive league. The night before the competitive team tryouts I could not sleep because I was too busy studying collegiate players, watching mens volleyball, and other national teams play. Once I finally took a break I noticed it was past four in the morning and tryouts started at seven. Once I laid down, I could not sleep because I was anxious, then tryouts came; I was extremely nervous because I knew today was going to determine if I would get the position I strived for, or even get a position on the team. I made sure to make the least mistakes possible and to try to be beyond perfect. Once tryouts were over I looked at the paper and saw I made the team I was hoping to! I was extremely tired and felt as if I could finally rest. I told all of my family members. I felt so accomplished on my way to practice that day. I knew I had to keep up the good work.
Practice was great that day, I was on my way out of the gym when the head coach pulled me aside and told me I could no longer play nor practice with the team. There were not enough positions and I was not good enough to keep a position on the team. After I was told that my heart was shattered. I felt as if I was no longer a good volleyball player. Ever since that day I have doubted myself and my skill level; I often hold myself back from fulfilling my full potential. I never played the same again nor had the same mindset.
As I look back on that day I try to use it as motivation. Motivation for sporting activities, competitions, school as well as for life. To know there is always room for improvement and to never be satisfied when there are other pentacles that can reached. Having this attitude and mindset can open a lot of doors and other opportunities. When a person experiences failure it is extremely likely they will turn that into motivation then become successful.