<p>Could you please tell me what you think of my common app essay?
where there is a blank spot i took that out on purpose because i dont want to include the name of the rival HS</p>
<p>Failure is necessary. As I remember, my league championship tennis match loss against our growing rivals of ____ High School is a failure that has helped me grow and learn from my mistakes.
I faced a rude opponent who called bad line calls and kept exaggerating his cheers, grunts and fist pumps. In comparison, I didnt do anything he did and stayed quiet through most of the match. Sadly my mistakes began with a small mistake at set point when I didnt fight for my point that he called very unfairly. I just accepted the call and hesitated to fight for the point! Because of this hesitation, I couldnt take my mind off this mistake which led to losing the first set 7-6 in a tiebreak and losing the second set 5-0 till coming back to a 6-4 second set loss.
I was really disappointed as to what happened because I let everyone down! My team, my coach, my school! They counted on me to win! I felt terrible since our team has waited a long time for a championship and it was in my hands and I let them down! Surprisingly and thankfully my team and coach were very caring and considerate by cheering me up by saying its not my fault and that I did a good job. This helped relieve my sadness so much and if it wasnt for them I dont know what I would have done.
Through this experience I learned that I shouldnt hesitate but just do and fight for what is mine no matter the circumstances. This has greatly made me turn away from my shyness to grow louder and become outgoing by learning new things and taking on new challenges. Also, I have been able to make new friends without regret. Now I hardly hesitate anywhere whether its at the tennis courts or in any normal place like school.
Another result from my failure is that I grew to be even humbler and harder working than before. This match was a true test of my humbleness. After being frustrated and disappointed with my loss, I stayed calm and congratulated my opponent with respect though he didnt do the same. From this experience, I am now hardly over confident in anything I do because you should always work hard no matter how well you are doing and push yourself. I also try to encourage my teammates to not be overconfident because I am a good example of what could happen if you are. It was hypocritical that I expected something to come so easily without working for it as hard as I should have. I intend to never make this mistake again and continue to stay humble because through humbleness comes hard work and determination.
Thankfully this experience was a major smack to the face which I greatly needed to make me realize the major mistakes Ive been making all this time. I am grateful for this experience as now it is a lesson I will never forget and will continue to learn and grow from it. It will always be a motivation to remind me of what could happen if I dont give 110% for anything I want.
Now I am strongly determined to accomplish all of my goals through patience, humbleness, integrity, honor and respect no matter the circumstances I will face. Considering past experiences in addition to this experience, I now feel I am on the right track to earn the reward I so deeply long for: success.</p>