26A - Celebrating Failure

1) Tell us about a time this past semester that you failed -- whether in this class, or outside of this class. Don't spare any details! It'd be even better if there was something you tried several times this semester, and failed each time. 

• Before I began this class, I told myself this would be the first class I get an A in, since every other class prior has been C+ average (don’t judge). I was doing well, but then I missed two assignments and forgot to declare about four of them. Also, I didn’t do any of the Cupcakes in the beginning because I thought you had to pass them to earn points, not that you could earn up to one point, so there went my A. I was and still am upset at myself because I can’t believe I could be so stupid/irresponsible for lack of better word. In my opinion, this class is almost impossible to fail, so if you don’t do well, there’s just no excuse and that’s currently how I feel about the situation. I’ve been trying to score higher than a C+, but it just seems impossible. In short, if it isn’t one thing, it’s another.

2) Tell us what you learned from it.  

• I’ve learned that just because a class is labeled as “easy,” it doesn’t mean that you won’t fail. As a result, I have learned to trust myself less and always review the syllabus or assignments thoroughly before assuming I completed them. I am no longer going to have an A in this class for failing to follow the simplest requirements, and there’s just no excuse.
• Also, I’m learning that I need to devote more time into school than I do with my work. At work, I am always on point. I work hard, I’m on time, I’m an employee advocate for the Employee Advisory Committee, but when it comes to school I’m just average. Once I complete my undergraduate studies, I’m hoping to apply for Fisher School of Accounting here at UF. I know that if I want to be accepted, I must make sure I have exemplary grades which is going to require more effort on my end.
• DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF A SIMPLE TASK!

3) Reflect, in general, on what you think about failure. Failure is hard, isn't it? It's embarrassing, sure, but it also means that we have to change something about ourselves. Talk about how you handle failure (emotionally, behaviorally). Finally, talk about how this class has changed your perspective on failure -- are you more likely to take a risk now than you were just a few months ago?

• In my opinion, failure is a part of life and I accept it openly. That doesn’t necessarily mean that I will purposely set myself up for failure, however, I understand that failing is part of the dreadful learning process. Whether you learn about yourself or your surroundings, one will always find growth in failure; depends on how you perceive certain situations, anyway. Before, I used to beat myself up bad. Most of my friends from my graduating class are Alumni with master’s degrees from great colleges, and it took me six years to finish my associates degree. This is my third semester at UF and I’ve felt like failure since I started last year. Most of it is due to issues that I must fix within myself and my life. The other half are external factors, mainly financial. Although I’ve been hard on myself at times, I don’t react negatively. I always persevere and keep pushing forward. I know its cliché, but true failure is when you give up. Because, at that point, you never experience the “other” side—the accomplishment side. Unless of course you discover you were never on the right path. Regardless of who you are or what you believe in, fail and fail again. If you fail right, your failures will eventually lead you to your greatest accomplishment with time!