"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination are omnipotent." - Calvin CoolidgeI learned the truth in Calvin's words only a few weeks ago. This year I'm taking Linux, a difficult computer class at Orange High. I came into the class with the most experience, confident that I would do the best in the class. I was expecting to be able to fly through all assignments and test with a minimal amount of effort. But, I soon learned that this class was not going to be as easy as I had predicted.My difficulties started with the very first assignment. We were given ...view middle of the document...
I was already ready to give up and ask a friend how he accomplished the task.Before I gave up, however, I decided to give it a few more tries and look for some guides on the internet. I found an excellent website that not only pointed me in the right direction, but also gave an explanation of how to deal with problems in Linux. The explanation can be summarized in one word: persevere. I learned that I would have to try and fail many times before I could solve most problems. The more I experimented with it, the more I would be able to understand and achieve. So I immediately changed my plan of attack on the problem from trying what I already knew, to learning the things I needed to know, whether I learned it from reading or experimenting. It was hard, however, seeing my friends who were much less experienced than I so far ahead of me. My friend Alex taunted me constantly."You've taken computer classes for three years and I'm four days ahead of you!" Alex would gloat. His teasing only motivated me to learn more.I eventually completed the assignment, but only after a great deal of work. I was disappointed in myself for having taken so much longer than everyone else. I feared the next assignment and the difficulties I would have with it. However, this taught me that there are many different situations I will be faced with, and that I won't know how to solve some of the problems immediately or even after a great deal work, but I eventually can solve the problem if I preserver in finding the solution. I decided to apply this attitude to the new assignment. When I started working on it, I found that it was much easier because I had learned a great deal through all my problems with the first assignment. I finished the assignment on the first day, and used the rest of the week to repay Alex the taunting he dealt to me.
