Determined to ride a bike but fell and scraped my knee – determined to climb a brick wall but fell and bruised my shin – determined to slide down a sand dune but fell and broke my nose. Growing up this was the story of my life, always getting hurt. People joked around and called me clumsy but it is in fact my determination. I was determined to make it across the monkey bars in fifth grade, but fell and broke both wrists.
“The Wild Child,” that’s what they called me. Now you are probably thinking how will this characteristic contribute to a dedicated student. Many may call this a downfall, but in fact it is a positive attribute. Determination is the drive to success. This drive has shaped my life and made me who I am today. It has pushed me to new limits and new accomplishments. Ever since I was a child I pushed myself to try new things and be successful in everything I do, even if that means failure. But after failure comes success.
Dance is my life, releasing my extra energy through an artistic form is liberating. Although, of course, with my can-do attitude, I took it upon myself to participate in cheerleading, cross-country, soccer, and track and field. With school and sports, I had a chaotic schedule, and I loved that. Until one day, during my junior year, I was determined to successfully do an aerial (or a no handed cartwheel) and it did not go as planned. Failure is a part of life and you have to keep moving on and pushing through struggles, although this time it hit me hard. I landed, twisted my knee, and tore my ACL. Hearing the news that I had get surgery and couldn’t play sports until the next year was a devastating blow.
I was confused; what should I do? No sports? No more busy schedule? For a few weeks, I did all I had left, schoolwork. But I always pushed myself into AP classes even before I hurt my knee. So I was lost, thinking there was nothing else to do because I could not participate in sports any longer.
“I’m glad it was you Jade, because I know you won’t let it get you down and you will over come it,” one of my coaches said. Of course, he was not wishing this upon me, but he knew I would not let this stop me. He got me thinking I do not need to be participating in the game to be in the game. I started supporting my teammates by attending the games and cheering them on, learning a new level of dedication to my teammates, which can apply to anything I put my mind to.
It is necessary for a student to be dedicated to their schoolwork and outside activities. My ability to adapt will bring much to the University of Florida campus. I am ready for life’s new struggles and challenges. Like Tristan Loo once said, I can’t stop the negative events, but I can control my reaction.
