Undergraduate / UBC 'what is important to you?' essay "taking that next step" [2]

UBC application essay

The earliest parts of my life in Canada personify failure and insecurity. I was social and considered gifted in China. Yet, I couldn't fit in, make friends, or get good grades in Canada. Although I tried my hardest to study English and socialize, failure robbed me of optimism and patience. Finally, at that low point, something clicked. All I had to do was focus on the next step after failure. That is what is most important to me.

When life felt impossible, I focused on holding on to that next goal. For example, during COVID, public schools operated on a quarter-semester system. As a result, I was falling increasingly behind. I just felt like I couldn't catch up, and then it happened. I'd failed my first math test. Although learning English took a monumental effort, I'd always been proficient at math. Yet, our teacher handed the test back, and I saw a 39. I wanted to cry and give up. However, I knew there were three more tests in the quarter. Crying would do nothing, so I focused on what I could do next. I devoted all of my energy to learning the next chapter. On the next test day, I'd never been more confident. I would end the class with an average of 91%! It felt like a weight had been lifted off my chest. This experience reinforced my belief that even if I failed, I could do anything if I focused on taking the next step. Consistent, long-term effort would take me anywhere in life.