Another Study Guide: How to recover from failures?

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This article is dedicated to all students who have failed many times but don’t want to give up.

I made this to thank you for being here and for not giving up. Your determination to succeed will soon give you fruits as long as you won’t stop dedicating your time and effort to reach your goal.

I almost deleted this blog because I couldn't see progress back then, but I did not stop writing articles. I did not realize this blog is already 1 year old and the number of viewers based on Blogger Stat took a leap last month. That simple leap made me feel grateful and happy.

I believe most viewers of this blog are students because the posts with many views are those related to academics. To show my gratitude, allow me to begin by sharing my personal experience when I was in college. I’ll include photos that prove that I am not as intelligent as many people think (because of my eyeglasses). I sacrificed a lot (including my good eyesight) before I got good grades. I went through a lot of trials and errors before I got high scores. I failed many times before I passed and graduated after four years of struggles.

The photo below is the first page of my Transcript of Record (TOR). Inside the pink boxes are my grades in Math 1. The first box shows 5.00 which means failed. The second time I took it was in the summer of 2013. The result was positive (although my grade is not that high, but is considered good based on "grading system"). The full story about this failure is on my previous blog post.

My TOR showed no failure after that, but the truth is that I still got failed scores in exams and quizzes. Luckily, I am not the type of person who gets discouraged easily (when it comes to exams). I am the opposite type, who becomes more determined after failing (back then).

Most students crumple their test results and throw them in the trash bin as they see a failed score or as they get the result. In my case, I treasure most of my college files including my failed test results.

How to recover from failures?

“I recover from failures by learning from them.”

1. Don’t be discouraged if you fail once twice or many times. Never get discouraged because that negative feeling can ruin you. That may cause you to quit and find another option. That’s common to many students. Switching to another course as you experience failure once is not really a practical decision especially if you truly love that course.
2. Find a way to finish your course instead of finding a new one that others say are easier. All human beings  are created unique as they said. What is simple to your friend may be difficult for you.  
3. Accept the fact that you are different. What is effective to others may not be effective to you including this article, but the 4th advice may be helpful.
4. Know yourself, find the errors and correct them.  Remember that no creature is created perfect (as they said). Many people made their own definition of perfect because of that. Formulate your definition of perfect too and be satisfied as you achieve that.
5. Focus on improving yourself instead of comparing/contrasting yourself to other people and avoid feeling insecure. You have your own unique traits. You are special the way you are, but that does not mean you must not change. Sometimes, you need to make some changes  especially when it involves other individuals. When someone you think has the credibility gives you constructive criticism, consider it and try following it if you are lost. Maybe it’s the answer to your prayers.
6. Never stop learning. Even the richest man in the world keeps on seeking knowledge through reading good books and other worthy materials. Change is considered as one of the constant things in this world. The information believed to be true today may be considered false tomorrow. The problem you have solved today may cause another problem on the next day. The formula you have memorized may be gone after several hours, but that must not hinder you from doing your best to master it. Keep on learning (your craft) until you get used to it (or until it becomes your forte).
7. Know where you must focus by evaluating your performance based on the previous results. In a subject taught, there are topics you can easily understand and there are things you find very difficult. There are also subjects that you find more difficult or easier. Focus on the subjects or topics that you find difficult, but don’t forget to test yourself again to make sure you are ready to proceed to the next level.
8. Nurture what you’ve learned. If you think graduation is the end of your sufferings, well it is not. You will be tested in whatever career you choose (unless that career is all about gaming like playing ML or other mobile games which may  also test your gaming skills). It is best to keep your college books, handouts, reviewers, test results and questionnaires because I am certain you will need them from time to time especially if your job or the job you are applying for is directly related to your course.   

Continuation of My Story

I have attended several job examinations from private companies to government agencies. I encountered different types of tests which include online exams that are sometimes easy, but most of the time are difficult. I am very glad I did not throw away, deleted or burned my college files because they have been helpful until today.

Unfortunately, after trying hard to achieve my (very ambitious) dream, I stopped practicing what I’ve learned in college. I lost almost all the knowledge that I worked for tirelessly because I chose to learn and explore other things even if I haven’t mastered my craft. I chose to keep on learning new things without nurturing the knowledge I’ve earned in my Alma Mater. I am not sure if I should regret what I've been doing, but I’ll just positively go where this life cycle takes me.

The photos below can show the efforts I gave to recover from my failure in college.

Keeping track of my scores

My score vs. the passing rate

The Q&A I wrote to test myself

 Trials and Errors

When I was in high school, I absolutely hated an exam with enumeration and problem solving because of my memory. I don't put much effort in memorizing formulas and other stuff because I know I will still forget about them during exams. I brought that habit in my first until second year in college. Sadly, I often fail during tests. In the university, most major exams in all subjects does not have multiple choice. 

Realization

If I allowed the negative thoughts in my brain including my belief that my brain functions keep on deteriorating, I might haven't graduated at the same time with my batch mates. If I allowed the pain I felt stop me from studying, I  might have given up college. I pushed really hard to graduate as soon as possible because I hate school (excluding my good teachers and classmates). I hate being in a classroom and the smell of chalk. My only way to get rid of those things is to graduate as soon as possible. 

No matter how hard it was, I persevered. I ignored many people and things I love to focus on my studies. I was able to graduate within 4 years in spite of my failures without flying colors but with helpful experience that I can share to the students who are probably struggling like I was in college because no one's there to help.