Written by: Abby Dizon
Editor’s Note: The following articles are written by counseling professionals and students from Counseling Services in partnership with the Southern Accent.
The fear of failure is common among college students, driven by the belief that perfect grades lead to a good GPA and a successful future. The pressure to excel academically can result in a negative perspective of failure. By applying the following strategies during your academic journey, you can not only avoid the pitfalls of failure but also develop resilience and a positive mindset, which will improve your overall well-being and success.
One tip is to break down goals into manageable steps. For example, if your goal is to earn an A in a class, and you’re anxious about failing, break it down into smaller steps. Begin by attending all the lectures, and if you are tempted to skip class, imagine the consequences.
Another small goal would be to complete assignments early in order to give yourself time to review and edit. By creating SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely) goals, you’ll find that your fear of failure will diminish, and you will be more likely to succeed in reaching your larger goal. Although these preliminary goals may seem minor, they are designed to give you a boost of confidence as you tackle challenging but not overwhelming tasks and obstacles. These small steps can lead you toward your main goals and prevent you from feeling overloaded..
However, if you are faced with failure, redefining it puts you a step closer to overcoming your fear, according to an article by certified counselor Tanya J. Peterson. Instead of seeing failure as a life-ending disaster, view it as a temporary situation.
When I find myself on the brink of failure before a test or a presentation I feel unprepared for, I remember that this moment is temporary and that in a day or a week this will all be over, and I will move on. Another helpful strategy is to remember that there will be other opportunities for success. If I fail a test, rather than dwelling on the loss, I try to learn and grow by examining what I could do better for future tests.
Lastly, remember that failing does not determine your worth. A minor setback will not hold you back. Numerous successful individuals have met failure but persevered to achieve greatness. For example, the world-renowned basketball player Michael Jordan didn’t make the basketball varsity team in high school.
“I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games,”Jordan said.. “On 26 occasions, I have been entrusted to take the game-winning shot, and I missed.,” Jordan said. “I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
Setbacks do not define your potential.
Failure is a fleeting and temporary situation, not the end to your path. There will be times of failure that are out of your control, but life moves on, and it is important to remember that those moments do not define your capabilities.
Rather than viewing failure as a permanent obstacle, view it as a valuable lesson and an opportunity for growth. The most successful people have encountered failure along their journey and used it as a springboard for their success.
