Determination free essay sample

(This is the essay I wrote in 2006 that got me into Hampshire College.) I was sitting in first block pre-calculus class last year expecting my teacher to start with the notes as soon as the bell rang, like he usually does. Instead, he pulled out a Rubik’s cube. He claimed he could solve it, but the class was reluctant to believe him. Only geniuses could solve the Rubik’s cube, right? But my teacher went on to solve the complicated toy before my very eyes, leaving me completely awestruck. The shock slowly wore off, and I became a little jealous. I decided I needed to learn how to solve the Rubik’s cube myself. I purchased the cube at a local toy store, brought it home, and, full of anticipation, began to play around with it. Unfortunately, I soon became quite frustrated. How had my teacher solved it so fast in front of our class? I took a break from the puzzle for a week or so, until one day when I became set on figuring it out. I thought of all the hours I practiced. I remembered every stroke correctly done. I was prepared. This meet was mine. As warm-up concluded, my coach pulled me aside. Apparently, the worry lines etching themselves in my forehead gave away my nervousness. â€Å"Get in the warm-down pool. Don’t leave until I send someone over. Don’t think, just do it, and do it well. I believe in you,† he barked at me before turning to his next victim. After regurgitating my breakfast it into the nearest trashcan, I listened. When my teammate pulled me unceremoniously from the water, I followed her behind the lanes. This was my time to shine. To tell the truth, I don’t remember much of this race. The pain, however, seems to be an exception. Somewhere in the race every single fiber of my being screamed. The 200 fly is a race few attempt, and here I was doing my best to slaughter it. As my arms shot over water, I felt like the female version of Michael Phelps. At every wall I felt like I felt like i was jumping as high as an NBA player, and jumps like that hurt. Then there was the finish. As I slammed my hands into the wall, my shoulders had enough feeling left to shoot pain up into my skull. As I gasped for air, I heard noise. I couldn’t say what it meant, I couldn’t see, I couldn’t breathe. For the second time that day I was yanked out of the water. Unsure of what was happening, I looked for a friend in the surrounding mass. â€Å"You did it! You made the cut!† someone yelled. Walking away from that event, every ounce of pain was rewarded with a pound of joy. Not only had I achieved my goal that was two years in the making, but I had proven to myself that with enough determination I can do anything. I have never felt as happy or as proud of myself as I did that day.