SAT Essay Topic: What must we do to truly understand ourselves?

Please grade my SAT essay and tell me what I can do to make it better. Thank you very much.

The question "What must we do to truly understand ourselves?" suggests that we must have hardships and difficulties in life for us to know our real strengths and weaknesses. In other words, everything that poses a challenge to us can allow us to figure out ourselves. In my opinion, challenges are the only way for us to discover who we truly are. In life and society, the evidence to support my viewpoint is pervasive.

Take note of activist Helen Keller when she figured out a way to communicate to other with her hand gestures. Keller had a major illness when she was nineteen months old that took away her sight and hearing. While this hindrance would have made many other people give up on trying to communicate, Keller decided to overcome this challenge by learning how to write. Because she lost her sight and hearing, Keller had actually discovered that she is a stubborn, strong-willed person who does not give up.

Consider the case of gifted neurosurgeon Ben Carson and how he grew up. Carson was raised by his single mother and had a tough childhood. Struck with financial problems his whole childhood and not doing well in school, Carson found a way to improve his studies and acquired an interest for neuroscience in high school. Carson's tough childhood allowed for him to truly understand his strengths and abilities.

As a final vivid example, examine the case of Pi in Life of Pi. Pi was stranded in the middle of the sea with a Bengal tiger for more than 200 days and managed to stay alive to reach the Mexico coast. Being lost at sea enabled Pi to find out how good he was at surviving. Not only was he able to survive for 200 plus days, he did all while with a Bengal tiger on board of the lifeboat! Through his physically and mentally tough journey, Pi was able to discover and identify his greatest strength, surviving.

Clearly, the above examples show that challenges and roadblocks in life are crucial for us to truly understand ourselves. Keller might not have found out her willingness to learn had she not became deaf and blind. Pi discovered his talents and in turn truly understood himself when he was trapped at sea for more than 200 days. Only when we are faced with difficulties and hindrances can we truly begin to know ourselves.