Learning from Failure Scenarios

Read Scenario #1 and #2, and answer the following questions in RED color font.

Scenario #1

Susan is taking a math class at school and is on the school’s

soccer team. The following day she has a math test, which
she has known about for a week. Susan intends to study at
night, after she plays her game. Her team wins the game,
and everyone decides to go to the local pizza restaurant to
celebrate. Susan is having a great time and loses track of
time. Eventually, she arrives home at 10:30 pm; she decides
not to study because she is too tired. She convinces herself
that she will wake up early the next morning and study for
the test. But, she sleeps through her alarm and never has a
chance to study. Susan takes the test and earns a “F.”
Susan is upset when she learns that she failed and
immediately blames sports.

1) Who is to blame for Susan receiving a “F”?

Susan is to blame for getting an “F” on her test.

2) Before learning from this failure, what does Susan need to take?

Susan needs to take some time to reflect and recognize what she
could have done to have a better score on the test.

3) Why did she fail to study for the math test?

Susan failed to study for the test because she lost track of time and
then later slept through her alarm.
 Learning from Failure Scenarios

4) What should Susan learn from this failure and how can she prevent
it from happening again?

In the future Susan can help to prevent this from happening again is
by studying before her game and keeping track of time so she doesn’t
end up going home late, and waking up past her alarm

Senario #2

Steven is very interested in joining the basketball team at

school. Tryouts are in three weeks. He has not played
basketball for a year and is out of shape. Nonetheless, he is
very confident that he will make the team. He already knows
several of the players. Steven tells himself that he will start
training as soon as he is officially on the team.Three weeks go
by and tryouts occur. Steven gives it 100 percent. The next
day, the coach informs Steven that he didn’t make the team.
He is angry and upset. He doesn’t think it is fair. As the coach
is trying to explain why Steven didn’t make the team, he
walked away and refused to listen.

1. Who does Steven blame for not making the team?

Steven blames the coach and accuses him of not being fair.
2. Why do you think Steven failed to make the team?
Steven did not want to practice and he was out of shape so he
wasn’t fully prepared.
3. What should Steven have done differently before the tryouts?
Steven should have been practicing before the tryouts because
 Learning from Failure Scenarios

he hasn’t played in a long time and he is out of shape.

4. What should Steven have done when the coach was talking to
him?
Steven should have stayed and listen to what the coach had to
say about why he didn’t make the team.
5. Why would it be important for Steven to listen to what the coach
had to say?
It would have been important for Steven to listen to the coach’s
explanation because it could have helped him understand what
he could do next time.
6. If Steven wants to play basketball next year, what do you
recommend Steven to do?
I recommend that Steven starts practicing right away and keep
the same confidence that he had in the first year.
7. What should Steven learn from his failure?
Steven should learn that he shouldn’t procrastinate and he
should listen to the coach’s or anybody trustworthy’s advice so
he can better himself.