Correction is not Rejection by Gian

Correction is not Rejection by Gian - August 2026 Scholarship Essay

My name is Gian Sedets Caloca, and I have not always been receptive to feedback. Growing up in the church, I was a helpful, obedient child who was quick to obey and eager to please. I truly had a servant’s heart, but I also had one major flaw: I could not take correction. The very idea that I could be in the wrong instantly made me defensive. This unhealthy outlook caused more trouble than it resolved, straining my relationships and making me known as a difficult child to deal with.
I hated feedback. When I was being corrected, the words went in one ear and out the other; instead of listening and learning, I’d just sit and wait for the lecture to be over. My mother would tell me how to solve my problem, and my default response was a dismissive, "I know, I know." To me, correction was rejection. In the worst moments, I’d even try to lie and pretend I had done no wrong, as if my words could magically undo my actions. But I have since realized that correction is not rejection. In fact, feedback is one of the most vital and necessary tools for collaborating with others and achieving true self-improvement.
One day at church, I made a mistake that could have ruined the service, and it was entirely my fault. I felt guilty and knew I was in the wrong, but there was no way I was going to take a scolding for it. Didn’t they know I felt bad enough already? They might have, but the mistake itself wasn't the main point; what mattered was whether I was willing to learn from it. Today, I don’t make as many mistakes as I used to, but more importantly, when I do slip up, I am willing to listen to the correction and take full responsibility.
Feedback has completely changed my approach to learning, teamwork, and how I treat those around me. Now more than ever, I realize that I know nothing at all and that a wealth of information is all around me, through the minds of others. As I take the next step in my education, I look forward to entering the classroom with this same humility—ready to listen, learn, and grow alongside my peers and mentors.