If there was one piece of advice I could share with the world, it would be to embrace mistakes as opportunities for growth. This summer I came across a quote by Theodore Roosevelt that deeply resonated with me: "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." Reflecting on this quote, I realized how it speaks to the importance of doing your best within your limits, something I had to learn the hard way. In the beginning of tenth grade, I overcommitted myself by taking on 15 hours of work each week, afternoon soccer practices, and a demanding course load, convinced I could handle it all without consequence. As the pressure mounted, I realized I was struggling to keep up with my assignments and mental exhaustion, recognizing I pushed myself too far. I hit a wall when I found myself unable to concentrate, overwhelmed by fatigue and frustration as my grades started to decline. Through the help of my family and friends I was able to learn some valuable lessons. Two of them are the most important lessons, as they are to know what your limits are, and to know when to overcome them.
What the first lesson taught me is to know that I am not superhuman. I tried to juggle soccer practices, Science Club meetings, and 15-hour work weeks on top of my schoolwork, but the constant grind took a toll. I often found myself staying up late, mentally drained, only to wake up exhausted the next morning. Recognizing that I was at a mental low, I understood it was time to reassess and make a change before things worsened. I reduced my work hours, which allowed me to focus more on my studies and rest. In doing so, I was able to evenly concentrate on all aspects of my life, and I have continued to do so since that day. This lesson has shown me that embracing my mistakes to learn what my limits are improves my character and provides unexpected clarity and resilience.
What the second lesson taught me is that I have to break out of my routine. Franklin D. Roosevelt has a quote that fits this lesson: "The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today." This quote encouraged me to keep pushing, even when I felt drained. One particularly difficult week, I balanced exams, soccer, and family obligations by prioritizing my tasks, creating a detailed schedule, and setting aside time to recharge each day. Knowing that I still had at least six years of schooling left, I knew all of the hours I had worked, the effort I put into sports, and the time I spent studying would pay off. While the time spent practicing and improving was temporary, the impact I have on the world will resonate for years to come.
These two lessons-knowing my limits and knowing when to surpass them-have become the foundation of my approaches to challenges. Now, when I feel overwhelmed, I pause and recalibrate, balancing my ambition with self-awareness. Yet, I continue to push myself, knowing that growth lies beyond my comfort zone. As I prepare to pursue a double major in computer science and computer engineering, I know that managing two rigorous majors will be a challenge, just like balancing my commitments in high school was. Both are demanding, and there will be times when I need to carefully manage my workload, stepping back when necessary. At other times, I will have to tackle complex problems that seem insurmountable. My experiences managing exams, soccer, family obligations, and work taught me that success isn't about avoiding mistakes, but learning from them-an approach that will shape my growth as a student and future engineer.
What the first lesson taught me is to know that I am not superhuman. I tried to juggle soccer practices, Science Club meetings, and 15-hour work weeks on top of my schoolwork, but the constant grind took a toll. I often found myself staying up late, mentally drained, only to wake up exhausted the next morning. Recognizing that I was at a mental low, I understood it was time to reassess and make a change before things worsened. I reduced my work hours, which allowed me to focus more on my studies and rest. In doing so, I was able to evenly concentrate on all aspects of my life, and I have continued to do so since that day. This lesson has shown me that embracing my mistakes to learn what my limits are improves my character and provides unexpected clarity and resilience.
What the second lesson taught me is that I have to break out of my routine. Franklin D. Roosevelt has a quote that fits this lesson: "The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today." This quote encouraged me to keep pushing, even when I felt drained. One particularly difficult week, I balanced exams, soccer, and family obligations by prioritizing my tasks, creating a detailed schedule, and setting aside time to recharge each day. Knowing that I still had at least six years of schooling left, I knew all of the hours I had worked, the effort I put into sports, and the time I spent studying would pay off. While the time spent practicing and improving was temporary, the impact I have on the world will resonate for years to come.
These two lessons-knowing my limits and knowing when to surpass them-have become the foundation of my approaches to challenges. Now, when I feel overwhelmed, I pause and recalibrate, balancing my ambition with self-awareness. Yet, I continue to push myself, knowing that growth lies beyond my comfort zone. As I prepare to pursue a double major in computer science and computer engineering, I know that managing two rigorous majors will be a challenge, just like balancing my commitments in high school was. Both are demanding, and there will be times when I need to carefully manage my workload, stepping back when necessary. At other times, I will have to tackle complex problems that seem insurmountable. My experiences managing exams, soccer, family obligations, and work taught me that success isn't about avoiding mistakes, but learning from them-an approach that will shape my growth as a student and future engineer.
