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I have been reading all the status of my friends in happy celebration of their graduation and results from 3-4 years of hard work. It’s so nice to see, and I am immensely proud of them all.
But to be honest, a year ago today was one of the most horrific days of my life. I found out that I had received a 2.2 despite immense hard work, blood sweat and tears. I called my tutor, who said these words, and I will remember them for the rest of my life: “I am so sorry Kirsty. No-one deserved to get a 2.1 more than you, I know how hard you worked and how much it meant to you. But know that you will be incredible at what you do, you have shown what you are good at, and I am sure you will go on to have a hugely successful career of your choice”.
I didn’t say much. However pathetic it sounds now, I literally felt like my life was over. I felt that everything hanged on getting that 2.1. I had pretty much been promised it “correct this, correct that, work hard, you will get there, have faith”.
I had faith, but faith laughed back in my face.
It took me a week of crying (I know, ridiculous), 1 angry letter, 6 months in the wrong job, 3 months of therapy and a life time of trying to be something I’m not, to realize something that I want to make everyone else hear loud and clear:
WHY AM I TRYING TO BE GOOD AT SOMETHING I AM JUST NOT GOOD AT???
Maybe some people are meant to be academics. Some others just aren’t. But the fact of the matter is, my family, school, friends and society brought me up to believe that academia meant success.
What I failed to accept, was that I was damn good at other things. On that very same day, I won several awards, 1 which from Warwick SU which I hold dear to my heart, and that was only won by 3 others in the entire student population. I won these awards, for what I now understand as my entrepreneurial and leadership spirit.
So you see, the monumental fail that I felt had occurred led me to where I am today. It forced me into a self-discovery process. It forced me to actually follow my dreams- because to be honest, it was that, or severe depression, immense stress, deep unhappiness. Because actually, what I am good also happens to coincide with what I have always truly wanted to do.
And hey, I’m good at that! Why am I trying to chase somebody else’s dream?
So for all those who have failed recently. For all those who have got their results and got the grade they wanted, for those who didn’t get the one they wanted, follow your dreams and build your own strengths, not anyone else’s.
And for the graduates out there: enjoy the real world, because if you make the most of it, it really is incredible! But don’t forget to always fail, and fail, and jump back up.
Please share this post to pass the word on that celebrating your strengths and following your actual, real dream is the way forward!
Filed under: Achieving your dreams, Confidence Tagged: degree, failure, graduate, results, self-discovery, strengths, weaknesses Image may be NSFW.
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Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
