Reflection on Personal Experiences: A Path to Self-Awareness

This essay is a personal reflection on a significant life event, specifically the author's experience after graduating from university. The author describes the disappointment of not getting into their preferred university and the subsequent emotional distress. However, the essay highlights how this initial setback ultimately led to a fulfilling job opportunity, illustrating the importance of resilience and perseverance. The author reflects on how the initial negative experience transformed into a positive outcome, emphasizing the value of adapting to unexpected circumstances and maintaining faith in oneself. The essay concludes with the author's realization that challenges can pave the way for future success and self-discovery, offering a valuable lesson on the importance of perspective and the potential for growth even in difficult situations.

Running head: PERSONAL REFLECTION
PERSONAL REFLECTION
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note

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Each and every person at certain point of time in their life has faced situations that they
regret about. However, from an optimist’s point of view, although these regrets initially affect
the life of a person, in the long run they turn out to be a positive one (Lewis 2013). These regrets
influence the life of a person as long as he/she lives (Davidai and Gilovich 2017). One such
incident that completely changed my perceptions of life is cited below.
The incident occurred when I completed my graduation in the year 2017. I completed my
graduation from a university in my locality and applied for my post-graduate course in some
national and international universities. After completion of all the procedures of admissions and
entrance exams, I was called for a final round of screening in one of the top Universities of my
country. My dream came true as it was one of the most reputable universities of my country-
Banaras Hindu University. At that moment of my life, I was overwhelmed with the awe and
wonder of the University. My joys know no bounds and I painted the city red! It was one of the
happiest day of my life. However, all my excitements and dreams were shattered when the
University denied my choice of the college and instead offered another one. This institution was
although an old and reputable one, the faculty of the institution did not attracted students much
compared to the institution selected by me. Besides, there was also no facility of accommodation
and my parents did not approve the idea. As a result of such inconveniences, I had to return to
my own city with tears in my eyes and a state of mental depressions. Gradually as the days
passed the situations started becoming worse and I felt utterly helpless even after getting
supports from my parents and friends.
Within all of these all of a sudden an obscure ray of hope sparkled up when I got a call
for a job in an organization that is quite reputable. With a broken heart I joined their business
with a hope of becoming successful in my life. After a yearlong persuasion of hard work and

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dedication I am now quite satisfied with my current situation as the job offers a great insight to
enlighten and fulfilled my quest for knowledge.
From this situation, I learned that there might have been hindrances in our path of
success, we must not lose faith on ourselves. Thus, it can be concluded by saying that though
initially I encountered a bad situation that deteriorated my mental stability and happiness of my
life, it opened a new door for me that will lead me to the path of success.

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References
Davidai, S. and Gilovich, T., 2017. The Ideal Road Not Taken: The Self-Discrepancies Involved
in People’s Most Enduring Regrets.
Lewis, J., 2013. Through the Mirror: An Exploration of the Positives and Pitfalls of
Encouraging Students to Think Reflectively (Doctoral dissertation, University of Worcester).