Failure to Success by Sarah

Failure to Success by Sarah - August 2014 Scholarship Essay

When I was fourteen, my parents signed me up for my first college class—College Algebra. Having dreamed of attending college since I was a little kid, I was so excited the first day of class that I almost passed out. However, I swiftly learned that I was perhaps not entirely prepared for what awaited me.

I remember working really hard for that first week or two-- and then I ran into trouble with the material. I was confused about something that the professor taught us, and I was too proud to ask for help. I just stopped working. I didn't understand the homework, so I didn't do it. I didn't understand what was going on in class, so I didn't bother to pay attention. I honestly don't think I did homework for the first half of the semester, and before I knew it I was getting my tests back with failing grades at the top. I went to study groups so the teacher would think I was making an effort, but I was too ashamed to really ask for help. Several times, I went to her office building but I couldn't bring myself to actually go in for some reason. Finally, the weekend before the final, I ended up dropping the course so that my GPA wouldn't be ruined my first semester at the school.

I was so ashamed about my failure that I didn't want to tell anyone. I was disappointed in myself and I vowed to myself that I would never again let my pride get in the way of asking for the help I needed. The next semester, when my college classes started up again, I was definitely prepared. I paid attention in class, and I determinedly studied and got ahead in my homework. Since then, I haven't gotten below a B in a class. Even though it was disappointing and difficult for me, I'm feel it was a necessary experience for me. I truly feel that that failure is what has made me strong enough to succeed.