What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger by Michael

What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger by Michael - August 2014 Scholarship Essay

Just recently, I took my Accuplacer test for college and completely failed the math section. I ended up with a score so bad I was told I would have to take remedial math classes. In high school I completed math through pre-calculus with high scores, yet I still bombed the test. I went home that day not feeling so impressed with myself. Regardless of feeling mortified, the experience sparked something in me. I was driven to improve. I was going to take that test again and raise the score to something that actually represented what I was capable of.

I spent a couple weeks reviewing math concepts. I read math texts and worked through countless worksheets. Whenever I had free time I studied for the test. Everything from basic addition and subtraction, to algebra. I was determined. I was not going to take, and pay for, classes I did not need.

Finally the day came and I went to take the test once more. Remembering all the things a studied, I flew through the test, carefully answering each question. By the end of the test, I knew I had succeeded. My results came in and I was proud to see a score way higher than the one before. I did so well the second time that I tested out of all math classes but one.

As a result of this experience, I now have more confidence in myself. I know that even if my first try fails, it doesn’t necessarily reflect what I am capable of!