Giving up has always been an option in every one of my endeavors. Naturally, it was the glaring and flashing green light, the easy way out, and the way that would “waste less time”. Perseverance was a tough lesson to master and never made much sense to me as I was younger.

Why continue something that I am not good at? Yet, resilience has been the most incredible and significant learning experience to enter my life, and I would not be the person who I am today without it.

In elementary school, I found myself having more questions about math than the other kids and stayed after class to get them answered. Although I was an advanced reader and passionate writer, multiplication and equations were difficult for me to process at that young of an age.

Giving up was right on the horizon and was so close in reach.

My parents’ encouragement and belief in my ability to succeed was my first sense of perseverance. This, however, was not a feat that could be easily accomplished.

This would take me an hour of extra practice every day after school. This would last for several years of my academic career. While I eventually did catch up to everyone else’s lightning-algebraic speed, I never fully mastered or enjoyed the subject. But I learned.

In middle and high school, I found both my classmates and myself setting the highest expectations in every aspect. l saw two outcomes of not reaching expectations on the first try.

There are those who quit immediately, justifying that not getting their desired results must mean that they weren’t meant to do it and move on to another task. I also saw those who refused to let a weak SAT score or cut from a team define them--the people that would work more diligently to achieve their goal.

I fell into the second category.

I learned.

I learned that not everyone is meant to master standardized testing on the first try, get perfect grades on a subject they’re weak in, or make every single team on the school’s roster.

Not everyone is going to become a captain of the swim team, president of the community service club, and pass their driver’s test the first time around.

How can we, as imperfect beings, let failing break us?

Failing is not what will define our character, but the willingness to pursue those difficult tasks and succeeding in them is what will.

I am the girl who does NOT give up. I am grateful that not every subject, sport, or lesson came easily to me growing up. My entire life thus far has rested on a strong and determined work ethic because of it. I continue to push myself to be what I know can be and do what I know I can do.

It is inevitable to avoid the striking challenges and obstacles that life will deal, and this is only the beginning. Now is the time to pick up the pencil, lacrosse stick, or keys to the car and try again. Succeeding the second time may even feel better than it would have the first.