Learning Resilience from Percy Jackson by Sabrena
Sabrena's entry into Varsity Tutor's October 2025 scholarship contest
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Learning Resilience from Percy Jackson by Sabrena - October 2025 Scholarship Essay
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned from a fictional character came from Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan. Percy’s story taught me that resilience isn’t about never falling—it’s about having the courage to stand up every time you do. His journey reminded me that the world will test you, sometimes in ways you don’t expect, but the ability to keep moving forward despite those challenges defines who you truly are.
At the start of the series, Percy feels like an outsider. He struggles in school, gets labeled as a troublemaker, and constantly feels misunderstood. I related to that deeply. Like Percy, I’ve had moments where I felt like I didn’t fit in or that life was asking too much of me. There were times when I felt discouraged by setbacks in school or life, moments when I questioned if I was strong enough to keep going. But reading about Percy’s resilience—his ability to face impossible odds and keep trying—taught me that perseverance is built one small choice at a time.
When Percy discovers he’s the son of Poseidon, he doesn’t suddenly become confident or fearless. He’s scared, overwhelmed, and unsure of where he belongs. Yet even when the world expects him to fail, he chooses to try. He battles monsters, faces betrayal, and carries the weight of prophecies that could destroy him, but through every obstacle, he learns that strength isn’t just physical—it’s emotional. That message stayed with me. It reminded me that resilience means showing up even when things feel uncertain, and believing that you can rise above your circumstances through consistency, hope, and heart.
There’s a quote from the series that says, “If my life is going to mean anything, I have to live it myself.” That line shaped how I look at my own journey. For me, resilience means taking ownership of my story, no matter how unpredictable it becomes. When I faced setbacks in school—times when I felt like I was starting over or falling behind—I thought about Percy’s determination. He didn’t always know what would happen next, but he trusted that every challenge was preparing him for something greater. That perspective helped me approach my own goals with patience and persistence. I learned to see obstacles not as dead ends, but as detours toward something stronger within me.
Percy’s story also taught me that resilience isn’t a solo journey. His strength came from his friendships—Annabeth, Grover, and others who stood by him when he couldn’t stand alone. That showed me the importance of community and leaning on others when you need support. I’ve carried that lesson into my own life by allowing myself to accept help, to learn from mentors, and to use my experiences to encourage others who are facing their own challenges. Resilience grows stronger when it’s shared.
What makes Percy such a powerful example of resilience is that he never lets failure define him. Even when he makes mistakes, he learns from them and keeps going. I’ve tried to live by that same mindset—understanding that resilience isn’t about avoiding failure, but transforming it into growth. Whether it’s balancing school, work, or personal responsibilities, I’ve learned that progress doesn’t happen all at once. It happens in quiet moments when you decide not to give up, when you choose to try again after disappointment, and when you keep faith in yourself even when no one else can see your progress yet.
In many ways, Percy Jackson’s journey mirrors the reality of growing up—full of uncertainty, self-doubt, and unexpected battles. But what makes him heroic is not that he’s fearless or flawless; it’s that he never stops trying. He teaches that the storms in life don’t destroy you—they shape you. Every setback becomes a steppingstone to becoming more self-aware, stronger, and grounded in purpose.
Through Percy’s story, I learned that resilience is not about being unshakable; it’s about being flexible enough to bend without breaking. It’s about trusting that the version of you that rises from failure is wiser and braver than the one who fell. That lesson has carried me through challenges in my academic and personal journey and continues to inspire me to keep pushing forward, even when the path isn’t easy.
Like Percy, I’ve learned that resilience means holding onto hope when the tide is against you and finding strength not in perfection, but in persistence. And just like him, I’m learning to see every obstacle as a reminder that I’m still standing—and that’s what makes me strong.