Celebrating Failure

26A – Celebrating Failure

Over the years I have learned that failure aids us in many ways. I have experienced many forms of failure, as many people my age have. Recently I have dealt with academic failure. When I first became a student at the University of Florida I was expecting the academic success that I received in high school; I was an honor roll student all four years and graduated in the top bracket of my class. Academics has also been my strength. However, as I am progressing into my major, I am taking classes that are far more challenging than I could have expected. At first this came as a shock to me. My first ‘failing’ grade on a test was this past semester. I called my parents distraught, I thought my academic career would be ruined and that I would have to change all the plans I had for the future.

            My failing grade was a wakeup call for me. I realized that this first failing grade was a chance for me to push myself. I knew that I had two more opportunities to bring my grade up, and rather than sitting around being distraught over my grade, I needed to get up and change the way I was doing things. I also needed to change my attitude; I needed to adopt a growth mindset and use the time I had as a resource to grow my knowledge on the class. I also learned another lesson; I am not going to be good at everything and THAT’S OK. I think as students at a prestigious university a lot of us put pressure on ourselves to be the best at everything. With this attitude, we become our own worst enemy. In the case of failing my first test, I knew that I should do whatever it took to get a better grade but I also learned that as long as I tried my hardest it was ok that I didn’t end up with a great grade in the class.

            I think a lot of students can relate to this story. Through experiences like this one, my perspective on failure has become very positive. Failure helps us realize our strengths and weaknesses, it also pushes us to be the best that we can be. This class has helped me develop an even better attitude toward failure. Before taking this class, I wouldn’t say I was afraid of failure but I would try to avoid it. Now, after almost a whole semester in this class failure is something that excites me because I know with each failure I am closer to reaching my goals. I am now ready to take risks I would not have taken before. I’m ready to tackle the next semester with this attitude and I can’t wait to see where it takes me.