This week, Elana Johnson is hosting the Never Surrender Blogfest. All
you have to do is blog about a time you didn’t surrender. It can be about
anything. It’s not too late to participate and you might even win a prize.
<<<3
During my senior year of high school, my guidance counselor told not to
bother with university. I would never succeed. Granted, he was partly correct
on that assumption. One of my finest achievements was skipping Social Studies
30 and not getting into trouble. Okay, almost not getting into trouble. My
grades reflected my lack of enthusiasm in the course. And even though I never
skipped English and Math, those grades weren’t looking too hot, either. My
strengths definitely lay in the sciences.
I decided to prove my guidance counselor wrong. I did end up going to
university (after I repeated Social Studies and English), and studied like I
had never studied before. Okay, I still skipped some of my boring courses, but
I worked super hard on the courses that meant more to me. Yep, the science-based
ones. Not only did I graduate with a Bachelor of Physical Education (now known
as Kinesiology), I went on to do my Master’s of Science degree in exercise
physiology, with a focus on energy metabolism. I spent a semester at the
University of Jyväskylä (central Finland) and was invited to do my PhD in the department
of sport sciences. I decided not to pursue the degree for numerous reasons. My
education also resulted in a summer research position with the Defense and
Civil Institute of Environmental Medicine (Toronto), where I studied the effect
of various drugs on anaerobic performance.
In the end, I decided I’d rather write novels than research grants (I
became a drug rep instead), but I’m so glad I never surrendered when my
guidance counselor told me not to bother with university. I would have missed
out on so many awesome opportunities, and my educational and research background
has been an inspiration for some of my stories.
Is there a time that you never
surrendered
(e.g. trained
for a marathon, queried agents, studied for an entrance exam)?
43 comments:
Great story of never surrendering! Higher education really is worth all the wonderful experiences. So glad you didn't give up!
So glad you didn't surrender. What a terrible thing for your guidance counselor to say. Glad you didn't listen. You'll see my story on Friday.
Plus, I had friends who studied Kin. in college and it was hard! Lots of memorization! Congrats and good for you. I can't believe someone would say either - to anyone!
Awesome! You took that guidance councilor's insult and turned it into a challenge. Nice job! Thanks for sharing. As for me, yes, I have a few times that I refused to surrender. Just not enough space or time to chat about it here. ;D
Ha--this is all falling into place for me! Your expertise is reflected in your wip :)Certainly glad you didn't give up.
I'm so glad you proved him wrong. It's amazing the paths we take and how things turn out. I like that you used his negative into your positive.
Those are huge accomplishments! You showed him! I always tell my boys that success is the best revenge.
I'm not one to surrender either. From so called 'man' jobs around the house, to academics, I won't quit until I prove I can do it.
Good for you! Some guidance counselors are inspiring by ... well, not being inspiring! I love that you proved him wrong!
And is reflected in the wonderful person you are today!!!!
Glad you never gave in, then you might not have a blog bin. Guidance counselors are pointless most times I think too.
Good on you for being spurred to success rather than giving up! And congrats to Elana on her release!
What is it about high school guidance counselors? The once in elementary school are all cheerleaders, and the ones in high school are just awful!
My husband's guidance counselor told him the same thing. He gave her the virtual finger and worked his way through college to get his electrical engineering degree.
Great story! I love learning more about my bloggy friends!
(I shall think of you as "almost Dr. Stina" now.)
xo-
Shelley
Adults. They think they all know what is best. Pshhhaw!!! Thoough it may have worked to motivate you more. Either way don't let them take credit for your awesomesauce!
What kind of a guidance counselor tells a child she'll never succeed? Where do they find these people? Sounds like he had a case of the bitters. You certainly proved him wrong!
Whoa. So the ridiculousness of that silly advice aside - you've had such incredible education experiences. Studying in Finland? That sounds amazing. Cold, but amazing.
Nice! Good job not giving up. =)
~Aidyl
That's so great, Stina! I love when peeps prove the naysayers wrong. What a huge satisfaction it is. And how cool to study in Finland! What an amazing experience!
Sometimes hearing the 'don't bother' or 'it's not for you' is exactly what motivates! I love reading these Never Surrender posts; they are so inspiring.
I love learning all this stuff about you!! I hate when I hear stories of adults bringing kids hopes down. But I'm glad you rose to the challenge. :D
Well done you for not listening to your counsellor! And look how your journey's panned out and how amazing it was!! Yay for you! Take care
x
Your high school experience sounds eerily familiar. I went on to do much better in university as an English Major.
woo hoo!!! Rock ON! I think we've discussed this before and I can't believe that stupid counselor would tell you something like that. Glad to see you proved him/her wrong. :o) <3
What a horrible guidance counselor! Thank goodness you didn't listen to her!
What kind of guidance counselor was he??? He was definitely in the wrong profession. It makes me sad to think there are thousands of kids out there being told the same thing you were, but they might not have the courage or family support to prove everyone else wrong. Good for you for getting what you wanted out of your education!!
That is so awesome that you proved him wrong! I'm loving this never surrender blog fest!
A great story. I'm glad you didn't give up!
Good for you for not surrendering! That's a horrible thing for a guidance counselor to say.
Yikes! That teacher did a horrible thing! I'm so glad you went on to prove him wrong - I hope everyone else followed your kind of path!! Well done :)
Wow! That's very inspiring! I love it when people defy those who tell them not to even bother trying. Would love to see some photos of Finland if you took some.
wonder if he was using reverse psychology or just a negative person! what kind of guidance is that!
i'm glad you're writing!
Awesome story with a great message!! Good for you (and us). BTW...my daughter just graduated with a degree in Athletic Training and is continuing on in school to get her doctorate in Physical Therapy. She loves the science as well. :)
Good for you, Stina! And shame on your guidance counselor...well, no...hats off to your guidance counselor. His negative impression of you gave you the enthusiam to prove him wrong, and you succeeded. :)
An inspirational post, Stina. There will be many nay-sayers in all of our lives, and the key is to have them motivate us and not bring us down. I loved the way you said you were going to prove that guidance counselor wrong! (And I had the same motivation while in those seemingly interminable query trenches.)
The world is rife with naysayers and critics. I am glad for it because these are the types of people who inspire me to push on.
Anyway, I am from Toronto as well and now live in the Philippines teaching school and writing. People always told me that I couldn't do what I am currently doing. I am glad as you are that neither of us listened.
Take care!
I only made it through one and a half years of college due to financial problems. Looking back, I realize I wasted a lot of time. Not in pursuing higher education, but in knowing what I wanted to do. Some dreams pass, others change and come to the forefront, but every piece of experience is worth it.
Holy cow! Look at you being all smart AND proving your guidance counselor wrong. This is such an inspiring story. Thanks, Stina, for sharing!
I once defended a foxhole against a horde of bloodthirsty Taliban and did not surrender. Or did I see that in a film?
This blogfest makes me feel bad. I have no great story like this :(.
Ha! I was super bad at skipping school, too. Way to go for showing the counselor you TOO could go to university! And you like slam-dunked it with the advance degrees and all. "Take that guidance counselor!"
Stopping by from the blogfest...
First - I love your tag line about chocolate kisses and poisoned apples right beneath "Post a Comment."
Great story! I love your tough mentality and how far you persevered after such discouraging words from your counselor. Thanks for sharing! *new follower*
Awesome story!
So glad you proved that counselor completely wrong!!! I am sometimes tempted to think my stepdaughter shouldn't try for college (yet) because she does just the minimum work to get by with school - but this was a great lesson for me to learn not to judge her!
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