BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
S.Y. 2022-2023

The Catalyst for Success

Success and glamouring achievements, are these even important? Standing on a stage with
bright lights and nostalgic music as a gleaming medal is placed around your neck was never in my
slightest interest. I wouldn’t have known about it then as I was just a measly spectator watching
as my parents smile brightly as they walk up the stage with my brother. It was never in my interest
to envy and thrive the same way. However, life is just too lousy where it follows this simple and
straightforward principle wherein if you succeed you succeed and if you fail you fail, but if you
are afraid to fail you will never succeed.

From the moment I stepped on the institution known as school, I hated it. And sitting for
hours listening to lessons I struggle to comprehend and answering tests that I never had the slightest
interest in was tiresome. It felt as if all the effort and work you put into this so-called ‘school’ was
all to receive a purple star stamped at the back of your hand. However, for years that my brother
stood atop the bright stage strung my deep envy and gave me a sense of ambition. But what was it
that I envied? Was it the attention and awards? Or was it his intelligence and capabilities? The
questions that juggled my mind would have unknowingly been the cause of my struggles. And the
endless amount of pressure that I unconsciously imposed on myself had weighed me down.
Meanwhile, as I witnessed my brother looked so effortless to attain what I desired, displeases me.
Hence, following his trail had become the only option for me.
 As I pursued the same path, my brother had deviated from his as when he failed to receive
a scholarship to his school; he persisted in his passion while I was still stuck on the same trail. Yet,
I was able to perceive it as an opportunity to throw away these nasty feelings of inferiority and
receive the pleasure of contentment. Perhaps, I am too goal-oriented that it almost felt like I was
on a desperate mission to succeed. Even though I was also not able to obtain the scholarship, which
for a short period of time gave me a brief moment of despair as the sacrifices and efforts felt as if
have gone to naught. Fortunately, I was still able to gather numerous experiences and achievements
which I still hold dearly to this day, such as being able to receive my first honor student award
which I am still currently able to maintain, along with other accolades from contests and
tournaments I have participated in. But most importantly, throughout the ups and downs, and when
I felt I disappointed my family; not because of not being a brilliant student nor a scholar student,
but because of my incapability then to know what was best of me; had allowed me to pursue my
new and current dream which is to make my parents proud with every action and choice I take.

Now that I have realized what I should be pursuing; I have come to the understanding of
putting myself above others. Not in the manner of superiority, but by learning to prioritize myself
and my family. Looking back, I have come to realize that my self-perception of failure had driven
me to model myself to my image of success that strayed me off who I am. And my drive to become
better, pushed me to want to erase my failures and imperfections. However, I have realized that
my flaws and setbacks are precious pieces of myself that can never be replaced. Thus, I decided to
accept my faults which shaped what I am today — my accolades, resiliency, determination, and
the integrity I had developed have all been influenced by my regrets and disappointments.

I know that we all have faced countless failures and shortcomings that we awfully regret.
We want to erase them and spurn from them, but we would ultimately repeat the same mistakes
over and over again. And as evolving creatures, we naturally want to become better, but we assume
that we lack the experience and tools to succeed. But in fact, all the tools and experience that we
need are already within our grasp. In addition, a line from a song my mom used to love has taught
me that there will always be an uphill battle, and sometimes we’re going to lose. But “failure is
not the opposite of success; it’s part of success.”. We have everything we need, and we learn along
the way.