Think about a time you had to learn form feedback - How sis it shape your approach to learning and personal growth? by DeAsia

Think about a time you had to learn form feedback - How sis it shape your approach to learning and personal growth? by DeAsia - August 2026 Scholarship Essay

One of the most important pieces of feedback I have ever received did not come from a teacher or a coach. It came from my mother.

Growing up, basketball became my passion. I loved competing, improving my skills, and challenging myself every day. My mother coached me through seventh grade, and while she celebrated my athletic growth, she noticed something I did not. One day she told me, “Put the same effort into learning that you put into basketball.”

At first, I did not fully understand what she meant. School was more difficult for me than basketball. I often struggled to learn in traditional ways, and it would have been easy to believe I simply was not as strong in the classroom as I was on the court. Instead of allowing that belief to define me, I accepted my mother’s feedback and changed my mindset.

I stopped viewing learning as something I either could or could not do. Instead, I began seeing it as a skill that could improve through consistency, patience, and practice the same way I approached basketball. Rather than giving up when I struggled, I learned to ask questions, adjust my study habits, and discover the learning methods that worked best for me.

Today, I actively seek constructive feedback from my professors, coaches, and teammates. Feedback is no longer something I fear; it is one of the most valuable tools for growth. Every suggestion helps me become a better student, athlete, teammate, and future leader.

Looking back, my mother’s advice changed far more than my approach to school; it changed the way I approach life. The lesson my mother taught me extends far beyond academics. It has shaped how I approach every challenge in life. Whether I am on the basketball court, in the classroom, or serving my community, I understand that growth begins when we are willing to listen, learn, and make adjustments.

Her words taught me that success is not determined by natural ability alone. It is built through humility, perseverance, and a willingness to improve every day. That lesson continues to guide me as I pursue my education, compete as a collegiate athlete, and prepare for a future where I hope to inspire others to embrace feedback as an opportunity for growth.