Getting up after being knocked down by Philip

Getting up after being knocked down by Philip - May 2014 Scholarship Essay

Some of the best educational advice I have ever been given turns out to be some of the best life advice I had ever been given as well. “No matter how many times you get knocked down, get back up every single time.” It seems like just another inspirational quote out of a poetry book, but it’s more than that. But it turned out to be a quote that I apply at school every day as well as in extra curricular activities.

For example, on behalf of an organization I participated in a competition for my school. I did the best out of all of the people grouped with my judge. Unfortunately, the highest mark the judge gave was mine which was a 5 out of 10. I didn’t advance in the competition because the other judges scored other students higher. It would have been easy to just give up and accept defeat, but I refused to do so. In order to advance in the competition I had to work on a research paper based on a specific topic which took over 3 months. I ended up becoming a finalist and it was my first year ever competing, which was quite stunning as said by senior members of the competition.

Most people would have just fallen and give up, but I refused to do just that. I got back up and went above and beyond, trying hard for a research paper that was completely optional to do. Many would have just ignored the paper overall since it didn’t have to be done. But because I got back up from being knocked down it ended up being worth it. Not only did I become a finalist, I learned life skills that I can apply to improve not only my own life, but the people’s around me as well.

Another example would be when I tried to get into another organization at my school. My application was almost denied because a student who was part of the student staff wanted his friend in the position instead. It was because of this I became only a regular member. But this didn’t stop me, far from it actually. It took a lot of hard work and extra hours after school but after some time I was able to replace that staff member through merit and determination. I wasn’t going to give up and admit defeat when I knew that with some perseverance and time I could take that position for myself, and I did.

No matter what it was, nothing has ever been able to beat me completely and make me give up, as I still closely follow the quote I was told by my mentor. “No matter how many times you get knocked down, get back up every single time.” It is because of this quote which motivates me to follow through my goals and continue my education. This quote has helped me see that nothing is impossible to achieve if I push on through to the very end. That the world is out for the taking and one with motivation and determination can reach the dream.