26A

Assignment 26A – Celebrating Failure

            This past semester was my first semester at The University of Florida after transferring from Santa Fe College, and let me tell you, it was full of failures and setbacks. I’m still doing well in my classes but it has not been easy, and I have learned a lot about myself through the failure and success I have encountered in the last few months.

            This semester I am taking beginning Spanish, a subject that I have no prior knowledge in, and little desire to learn it, other than getting a good grade. Luckily, I have a few friends who have taken the class recently, or are taking a higher level Spanish class that were willing to help. My struggles began during the first quiz, when I thought I knew enough to do well, but could barely understand what the question was asking, and failed. It wasn’t too big of a deal but at that moment I realized I’m going to have to figure out an entirely new style of learning.

            My first attempt was making notecards with the vocabulary and practicing them to hopefully at least understand the questions next time, but that technique did me very little good. I then began doing all of the extra practice that is offered, which helped but I felt that I was working way too hard to still get an average grade. That brought me to the point where I began asking around and finding out how my friends had studied, which brought me to an outside program that teaches the language, and friends to practice with. My grades in the class have been on a steady rise since then, although it still is a tough class for me.

            Besides Spanish, the class has taught me some studying techniques, and has helped me find a network of peers that I can refer to if needed. The failures that the class has given me taught me some important life lessons as well. For example, even though I don’t want to take Spanish, nor do I enjoy it, sometimes that’s how life is. The feeling of failure alone is enough to make you want to work harder, but also the high from succeeding after all the failure is even more motivation to stick through it. I’m sure that with my network of Spanish students that I have made, and the determination the class has forced out of me that I will get more than Spanish out of the class.

            Failing is already embarrassing, but failing in a completely new language in front of a full class is even worse. Not knowing what to say when called on, or pronouncing a word completely wrong isn’t the end of the world, but it shows everyone around you that you don’t know what’s going on, which isn’t great either. But, like I said earlier, those times when you know it feel just as good, and has pushed me to learn enough to at least be able to participate in class.

            Overall, the failures I have encountered in my Spanish class are minor, but still frustrating. I’ve always been someone who is motivated by failure, but this specific type was different, due to my dislike of the subject. The way it forced me to keep grinding and accept the fact that I don’t want to try harder but have to will definitely be something I will have to deal with again, and hopefully it gets easier.

            In regard to this class, it has helped me realize that other students are always there, and in the same situation. Through the comments on my post, I was able to build onto my idea, even though it wasn’t extremely complex. The class really helped me be open to other people’s ideas which came in handy quickly. Having a class that focuses less on a book and sharing ideas and offering constructive criticism has been convenient for my workload and requirements this semester