A Personal Statement from a personal experience (Modified)

Third draft
It was a high counsel whom I had heard given to a young person once, “Always do what you are afraid to do.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson, 19th century American philosopher

This quote reflects my strong belief in possessing determination and perseverance in everything I pursue. It helps me to be fearless against any difficulties.

When I decided to pursue a major in Life Science, many people were puzzled as I used to under-achieve for biology, my most feared subject in secondary school. There was even once when my mother got me to kneel in front of the altar for half a day just for failing miserably for biology. My bruised knees ended up with painful sores but she unsympathetically shouted at me: “What the bloody hell is this shit result? You better buck up before I hang you upside down then you know!”. That was the last time when I saw her blood-shot eyes as her reaction scared the daylight out of me. She looked as though she was going to suffer a heart-attack and that scene really broke my heart.

With fears for my mum’s health and the biology subject, I only studied chemistry and physics for my ‘A’ levels. I could have taken biology in ‘A’ levels too as I still managed to scrape a pass in it for ‘O’ levels. However, I told myself that I would never want to see her agitated over my studies ever again.

Despite all the setbacks and disadvantages, I was still determined to choose biology in my undergraduate studies after excelling for all the subjects I took for 'A' levels. Talks and seminars about Life Science inspired me and gave me lots of ideas on what I could possibly achieve from this course. Some admired my bravery, while others mocked my stupidity for not choosing other courses I am good in. However, I persevered and have excelled in it as evident from my resume.

With this experience, I have gained the ability to cope with difficulties and overcome my fears in any endeavors. Perseverance has allowed me to pursue knowledge out of my comfort zone. It has also helped me to serve as a good role model to the others. I hope to be able to demonstrate to students that through this sort of effort, they can reap by being willing to strive. Therefore, students will never be afraid to maintain continual learning as a lifelong habit and have the courage to face any adversity in future.

In every teaching process, learning also takes place. Who says that the teacher never learns, or the student can never teach? We are all together in the same boat on the journey of education.

Second draft
It was a high counsel whom I had heard given to a young person once, “Always do what you are afraid to do.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson, 19th century American philosopher

This quote reflects my strong belief in possessing determination and perseverance in everything I pursue. It develops me to be fearless against any difficulties.

When I decided to pursue a major in Life Science, many people were puzzled as I used to under-achieve for Biology, my most feared subject in secondary school. Moreover, I only studied Chemistry and Physics for my ‘A’ levels. Some admired my bravery, while others mocked at my stupidity for not choosing other courses I am good in. Despite all the setbacks and disadvantages, I still chose Biology in my undergraduate studies and have excelled in it as evident from my resume.

With this experience, I have gained the ability to cope with difficulties and overcome my fears in future endeavors. It has allowed me to pursue knowledge out of my comfort zone. Hence, this experience recognizes me as a good role model for students to emulate. My experience also contributes to the Ministry of Education’s desired outcomes of education as it will allow students to see what they can reap by being willing to strive. In addition, this provides them the courage and conviction in facing any adversity in future. Lastly, it cultivates students to maintain continual learning as a lifelong habit.

In every teaching process, learning also takes place. Who says that the teacher never learns, or the student can never teach? We are all together in the same boat on the journey of education.