The Value of Getting It Wrong by Angelease

The Value of Getting It Wrong by Angelease - September 2026 Scholarship Essay

“Do what you have to do, so you can do what you want to do.”

Growing up, this was a phrase my mother often quoted in efforts to motivate my brother and me to complete work. The first few times she said it, it had little significance to me. It sounded like a simple saying, perhaps something she may have heard on television. As I grew older, however, its meaning became crystallized. I realized that success is built on a strong foundation of knowledge, and that foundation is created through consistency, even in the face of difficulty.

The learning method that has had the greatest impact on my academic success is completing practice questions and learning from my mistakes. For me, “doing what I needed to do” means working through challenging problems, answering questions incorrectly, and sometimes feeling discouraged. Although I experienced frustration in the process, I have learned that those moments produce the greatest growth opportunities.

I saw the value of this strategy firsthand in my Organic Chemistry class. At first, I struggled with identifying chiral carbons and assigning R/S configurations. Despite studying, I still arrived at the incorrect answer. While initially discouraged, I began reviewing each question carefully. I then asked myself why my answer was wrong, why the correct answer was right, and what I had misunderstood. As time went on, I not only noticed an increase in my practice scores, but I was also becoming better at recognizing patterns and eliminating incorrect answers.

This experience changed my approach to learning. Instead of viewing mistakes as failures, I now see them as opportunities to identify gaps and grow in my understanding. Each incorrect answer gives me information that can prepare me for the next challenge. It is through this mindset that I have developed resilience and confidence in my abilities as a student.

The second part of the phrase my mother quoted—“so you can do what you want to do”—represents my aspiration to become a pediatrician. Medicine is a commitment to lifelong learning, problem-solving, and the ability to adapt when faced with challenges. By embracing mistakes and using practice as a stepping stone for growth, I have shaped habits that will support me throughout my academic career and my future in medicine.

This phrase has become more than a saying; it has become a guiding principle in my life. Through consistent practice and a willingness to learn from failure, I have discovered that success is not void of mistakes. It is about using mistakes as an opportunity to become better. I, Angelease Bunton, make the personal commitment to learn from my mistakes, continually improve, and keep moving forward toward what I want to do.