Failure is an inevitable part of life. Everyone has the experience of not making the team or struggling to get a good grade in a class. Facing these events can be devastating, but are they really as bad as people believe? Something that I have learned is that failure can lead to new and better opportunities.

Beginning in fourth grade, I started participating in theater at the Northbrook Park District. I was fascinated by performing and uncovering different aspects of theater through classes about make up design and scenic construction. Performing soon became a huge passion of mine throughout middle school and was something that I thought I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

Coming to high school, theater was something I wanted to pursue, but I encountered many obstacles. Throughout my freshman and sophomore years, I continually auditioned for plays and musicals but was not cast. Over time, I became frustrated. My passion for theater slipped away as I felt I wasn’t good enough to be involved.

Then, toward the end of my sophomore year, after not making the spring musical, my friend encouraged me to join Stage Crew. At the time I was too upset about not making the cast to get involved, but at the beginning of my junior year I decided to join.

This turned out to be the best decision I have ever made. Being a part of Stage Crew has given me some of the most incredible opportunities and has allowed me to learn so many important lessons such as hard work, perseverance and teamwork. I have also gotten to work with and become friends with the most amazing people while constructing sets and managing shows. Since we are together so much, we have created unbreakable bonds and a tight knit family.

My original failure in theater turned out to be the most important thing that ever happened to me. Joining Stage Crew caused me to find a new and strong passion for the technical side of the theater and allowed me to join a community of people that I care so much about. Without failing to get cast in shows, I would have never made these discoveries. My failure was able to open new doors for me, and for that I am extremely grateful.

Another example of my lack of success that ended up being a benefit was my failure in a class. I began my junior year in Honors Physics and struggled. I was not understanding the material and the work was too much in addition to the already large workload in my other classes. After a few weeks I decided to drop down to Regular Physics.

I was at first hesitant to drop because I felt like I would be perceived as a failure for doing so. Even though I tried to learn the material, I simply had too much on my plate to continue struggling through the class. However, I am so glad that I made the decision to drop because Regular Physics allowed me to learn more than I would have in Honors. Although the material was simpler, it clicked better.

I also became really close with my best friend during this class. Without taking this class, I am not sure our bond would be as close as it currently is. Overall, my decision to drop was beneficial to my general well being. It allowed me to have greater learning opportunities, manage my stress and also make a connection with someone that is very important to me.

The failures that I have faced, although upsetting and frustrating, have shaped my high school experience for the better. My life would be completely different had it not been for the opportunities and relationships that my failure brought me. Failure has the power to open new doors. Although it is hard, I am going to forever try to look at failure as an opportunity rather than an ending. I think it’s important for everyone to look at their failure in this way. Looking at failure in a positive light makes it less difficult to face. I believe that if everyone looked at failure in a positive way, it would benefit their mental health and overall wellbeing.