Failure to Success by Safeya

Failure to Success by Safeya - February 2017 Scholarship Essay

Being able to make flawless connections through formulaic equations and rational processing resonates best in my mind. It is through this method that I am able to effortlessly retain information. I thrive in subjects like math and science which both comply with this logical way of learning. Yet, when learning history, my mind gets confused. Even though information is chronologically ordered, not one event happens at a time. I no longer have a logical template, which makes it difficult to retain information and connect ideas.

Mr. Gillespie handed back the 2nd unit test, and with that included an AP projected score sheet. I vacantly stared at my raw score, a 52. As he announced the class average, which was a 68, I sat, paralyzed, trying to grasp the fact that those countless hours of studying did not suffice. As I glanced at my grade, the voices surrounding me drifted into oblivion. All that mattered was my below average score. I flipped my test, trying to hide my shame from my peers. "This sheet shows your projected AP World History Exam score," he said, "Remember, our class goal is that 100% of students will receive a 3 or higher!" I shuffled to the projected score sheet and saw a 2. Great. Not only did I receive a 52 on my unit test, but somewhere, someone, or some computer program predicted that I only would achieve a 2 on the AP exam. I was genuinely heartbroken.

Through dedicating hours of my time specifically to studying, I tried to improve. I had sacrificed Saturday morning breakfast with my family to attend Saturday morning tutorials with my peers. I had asked questions in class, even when the answer was obvious, just to gain a deeper understanding of the material. Despite all my effort, I continued to fail. However, mistakes are the portals of discovery, and failure is one of those inevitable mistakes. Regardless of the failing grade, I continued to motivate myself and viewed the projected score as an incentive. I devoted most of my time to AP World History; I purchased The Princeton Review guide and other texts to increase my knowledge. I made an immense effort, so that when the exam came I would accomplish the class goal and proudly proclaim my score.

As the AP exam approached, I spent countless weeknights taking timed practice tests to get familiar with the upcoming exam. After taking the AP exam, I sighed in relief. For once, I truly felt confident. I anxiously waited during the summer to receive my score. All I wanted was a 3; I wanted to feel accomplished. I wanted to prove to myself that I was worth more than a 2. I was not going to let a predicted score hinder my capability of succeeding, and cloud my self-confidence. Through my vast effort and perseverance, I strongly believe that I can fulfill anything I set my mind to. Through sacrifice, I know that I can break the barriers my failing grades inflict on me. Later that summer, when I was notified the scores were available, I was hesitant.

I opened the email, signed into College Board, and quickly glanced at my score. My heart stopped and sunk into my chest. I stood, glaring at my score, allowing my mind time to comprehend what was happening. Then, I euphorically screamed and did a little dance. Not only did I prove the projected score wrong, but I also surpassed the class goal. I received a 4 on my exam! Through my tenacity, I achieved more than I had expected. I had set my mind to succeed and that is what I did, and that is what matters most. In that moment, I realized I was the only person who knew my fullest potential. My father once told me that the biggest room in the world is the room for improvement. Even though I struggle and fail sometimes, it does not mean that I will give up. I will find intrinsic motivation to continue pursuing my set goal, so that I can succeed and continue improving myself.