Overcoming Failure

Graphics by Ailani Wong

College is often seen as the launchpad for success, whether it's using opportunities, building a fantastic resume, or getting the internship of our dreams. But sometimes, things don’t go exactly as we planned. A bad grade for an important exam, a rejection letter from an internship, or a personal setback can feel like the end of the world. In that moment, failure can feel like a massive roadblock, something that defines our abilities and our future. We tend to forget that’s not actually the case. Failure itself can be an opportunity for growth.

The first step to actually overcoming failure is to shift how we define it. Often, we see failure as a personal fallacy, something that serves as a reflection of our worth rather than a natural part of the learning process. But the truth is that failure is not an identity, it's merely an event that happens. So, instead of asking ourselves, “Why did this happen to me?” try asking, “What can I learn from this?” instead. It shifts how we perceive failure and gives us the opportunity to introspect. 

One of the most inspiring examples of this is Thomas Edison, who said, “I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work,” as he worked on the lightbulb. Every failure brought him closer to success. Similarly, failures can often provide valuable insight into the ways we can improve. 

Developing a growth mindset can also be incredibly helpful. According to Harvard Business School, someone who has a growth mindset “views intelligence, abilities, and talents as learnable and capable of improvement through effort.” It is about embracing the failures, learning from them, and trying again. One of the ways you can develop this is through reflection and taking time to assess what went wrong in an objective manner. For instance, if you got a bad grade, was it due to ineffective study habits or time management or not having understood the topic? This can help you decide on what you can do going forward to improve that grade. You can also seek support from professors, peers, or mentors who can give an outside perspective and provide guidance on what went wrong. Adapting to situations is also important. If you’re rejected from an internship, for example, you can use that opportunity to strengthen your skills, refine your resume, or apply to even more opportunities. The key is to get back up and keep moving forward rather than staying stuck in the same place and blaming ourselves. 

Every successful person has faced rejection and failure in their lives at some point or another. However, what makes them successful is their determination to move forward and keep going despite rejections and failure. Instead of seeing failure as a reason to give up, use it as motivation to try harder or try something new. Each setback can be an opportunity to come back stronger if we choose to see it that way. So the next time failure feels like a roadblock, learn from it and remember that you’re growing and becoming a better person.