“Learning is never done without errors and defeat.” -Vladimir Lenin

 “Learning is never done without errors and defeat.” -Vladimir Lenin 

As students, we tend to expect the highest expectations we have for ourselves and others for us. We sacrifice ourselves to the point that we would prioritize academic goals rather than our health. There are instances wherein the expectations we have are far too high that when we fail we get so disappointed in ourselves because of failures that we didn’t want to happen.

In reality, we have to accept that we won’t know real success without the failures in the way. We don’t become successful overnight, and the truth is: that’s okay. Many of us don’t really know that it’s okay to fail multiple times because that’s part of life. We will get there someday, and that’s why we learn. 

We are distracted by the things we want to happen and never really seeing how far we’ve come. Yes, learning is really hard. We will fail, we will tumble, and we will feel failure; but that’s okay. Every successful person never became successful without failing first. In our studies, it might seem like an endless rock bottom. When we fail a quiz or an exam, we tend to feel like we’re behind and compare ourselves with others. However, that’s not the end of the world.

You are doing well.

Your failures and your defeat in your academic journey is just a small part of the many chapters that awaits you. And you are doing well. Keep living, keep learning, and keep taking care of yourself because failure is also part of learning about the whole entity of life. As students, we learn from many things, and not just by the book. There are experiences and moments that happen to us that teach us important values and lessons that help us realize that failing is not the end of our lives. 

‘Just keep swimming.’

This phrase is deeper than its literal meaning. It tells us the deeper essence of continuing. We, students, have to keep swimming. Meaning, we need to go on despite all those errors and failed expectations. There are many more chances and opportunities that will come. Learning is a journey that teaches us different topics that widens our overview of the world. We won’t know how something will turn out without trying even if we might fail. We will eventually grow by learning even through those errors because it means that we actually are learning something.

Get back up again.

When we trip on toes, just stand up again. Scientists don’t succeed in their projects without errors. Inventions are never refined without failing first. Each part of our ups and downs are part of learning. It will eventually lead us to realizing that we could do it all along. Knowing how to get back up again is part of learning how to accept our flaws and eventually learning from our mistakes. Yes, there are times when it’ll feel heavy but as we grow, those errors and defeats will just be part of our journey as students because by then, we have already learned something greater than we would ever expected to learn.

It’s understandable and valid how we are vulnerable to the feeling of failing to make our expectations happen especially since we are prone to comparing ourselves to others. However, you are not behind just because of those errors. These challenges we face as students are part of learning, and it will eventually teach us a lesson. We just need to keep on trying and trying. 

“Impossible is nothing.” -Muhammad Ali

Success is not impossible. We will get there by learning and overcoming these errors because we will learn to improve ourselves. It is a long journey but you have already come so far. Quoting what Muhammad Ali has said, achieving your goals is not impossible. Becoming or being a great student is not impossible, and you might not realize that you already are. 

Learning doesn’t mean you need to keep achieving high grades, and tons of accomplishments because what matters is that you really learned as a student. Hence, do not fear failure but fear of not having the chance to learn when you have the chance to learn.