Failure IS an Option by Michael

Failure IS an Option by Michael - September 2022 Scholarship Essay

Failure IS an Option

“You just don’t understand this math do you? That’s ok, because you are very athletic so maybe sports will be your thing.” The look on my face shifted in an instant when my 4th grade teacher said those words to me eight years ago. She told me I didn’t understand math, so I gave up trying to understand it. The smiling and inquisitive young boy was now gone. Self-doubt set in and it became crippling. It led to low self-esteem, high stress and negative emotions about myself. It was in 8th grade that a thoughtful and perceptive teacher recognized that I did in fact have the aptitude for math. I started to believe in myself. That belief in myself carried so much power. My mindset changed, my academic goals changed which shifted my thought process from “What if I fail…” to “Even if I fail…I can try again”. The negative self talk began to leave my daily thought process and a growth mindset along with some long overdue self-compassion began to set in.

The advice I would have given my 4th grade self would be that one person’s opinion of me does not define who I am. Relying on validation from other people can create a chain reaction of endless approval seeking. I know now that failing at something is a valuable lesson and provides the guidance we need to grow and learn. Those failures allow us to find out what we are truly passionate about. To prove my point further, I am now in AP Calculus with a 4.0 grade point average. Students, be kind to yourself and embrace your challenges no matter what anyone else thinks.
You got this!