<p>Hi guys, I'm applying to the UC's and I need feedback for my personal statement.
Thanks!</p>
<p>Prompt: Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are?</p>
<pre><code> There are no words to describe the feeling of lining up on the racing blocks during a swim meet. I dread the moment when the official yells Take your mark! for it reminds me of the tiring laps that lie ahead of me. The cheers of my teammates and friends offered me little comfort as I exploded off the block and dove fearlessly into the cold water. I immediately shifted my focus to the task at hand as I broke-out into my stroke. As I raced through the first few laps, I thought of nothing except the rhythm of my stroke. Even the swimmers in the other lanes escaped my attention. Approaching the final turn before the finish, I took one last breath and a quick look at the swimmer next to me. We were dead even. I came out of the turn at a full sprint. We passed through half of the last lap; I could hear the yelling of my teammates and I kicked and pulled even harder towards the end. Heading into the finish, I put my head down and gave a final push into the wall, hoping that I came first. Utterly spent and exhausted, I slowly completed my warm-down, relieved that another event has been completed.
As tiring and unappealing as athletics sounds to others, I happen to love facing new challenges, building strength, and working with teammates for the betterment of the team. It invigorates my competitive spirit and empowers me to excel. However, I came incredibly close to never experiencing the success I have had with sports. When I first joined aquatics about six years ago, I struggled quite a bit. Almost everyone in the team was faster than me, and I would come home everyday exhausted and demoralized. Feeling the incredible stress of the sport, I truly wanted to quit. However, I decided that I was better than to walk away from a challenge. I forced myself to endure the agonizing practices, testing my physical and mental capacities. About a month and a half later, I had noticed that my times had really improved. As a result of my improvement, I was assigned to a higher ranked team. I came to realize how wrong it was of me to doubt myself and contemplate quitting even for a brief moment. Although I knew the next team would present its own obstacles and host a different dynamic, this time I was ready for it. From then on, I craved the opportunity for a challenge, making the Varsity Swim Team as a freshman and even other sports like Varsity Football. Much of who I am today is the result of my unwavering dedication to athletics. The ability and confidence that it has instilled in me and its contribution to my growth as a whole is truly invaluable.
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