Ateneo essay

Benjamin Franklin once said, “ Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.” It is important to bear in mind that all our experiences, mistakes, and accomplishments in life are the reasons why we are who we are today. Every experience in the past, regardless of how trivial or insignificant, will always be in connection with of who we are in the present.

During grade school, I was neither the brightest, nor the most talented student in class. I grew up being constantly reminded and reassured by my family members and peers that I just haven’t reached my full potential as a student yet. My development towards achievement was hindered by just a single factor: my apathetic outlook towards excellence.

When I entered high school/ When I was a freshman, my perspective towards excellence had not changed. I was still the same student who didn’t care about my grades and accomplishments. Growing up (Instead), I was very fascinated with video games. It brought me to an alternate (reality/word) wherein I (fully immersed myself as a hero..) was the hero who effortlessly rose above all the monsters and bosses that stood my way. Unfortunately, being the youngest in the family meant that I never had the chance to actually play a game, let alone have my own gaming console. So, my eldest brother challenged me to improve my grades. If I were to receive no grade lower than 82 in my report card, he promised to buy me a PlayStation 4 as a reward.

Reality hit me like a truck. I soon came to realize that I was not the hero who easily rose above the obstacles that came his way. Compared to grade school, high school was a whole other playing field and greater responsibilities and expectations were placed upon me. However, (during the first year of high school), I had equipped with me a weapon I did not possess in grade school –motivation. This time, I cared about my grades because I was motivated to get a PlayStation 4. Most of the time, I wanted to quit and revert back to my old self who didn’t care about any of this, but I was determined to reach my goal. Despite the numerous hardships and obstacles, I persevered and managed to obtain 3rd Honors and receive my PlayStation 4. Through this experience, I learned that I was somebody so much more than what I thought I was. Since then, I continued to find inspirations that helped motivate me to surpass my limits as a student.

Although, amidst all the honors and rewards I have received, I realized that the real measures of success is not your intelligence nor your awards but your level of contentment in life. Anyone can get honors or awards, but not everyone will achieve real heartfelt happiness and satisfaction in life.