The Tantrum and the Triumph

During my college years, I vividly recall being one of the top-performing students in my finance class. I dedicated countless hours to studying diligently for the mid-term exam. To our advantage, our professor had arranged for the test to be administered online. Upon completing the exam, I reviewed my answers one more time to ensure that I had done everything correctly.

However, as I clicked the "submit" button, the time ran out, and the exam was automatically submitted unfinished. I was devastated. All my hard work had been for nothing. I slumped over in my chair, staring blankly at the computer screen. Then, suddenly, I let out a loud scream and threw myself onto the floor, kicking my legs and flailing my arms. I was trying to release my stress and figure out how to get my professor to let me retake the exam at the same time.

My two young daughters, aged five and eight, watched in amazement, wide-eyed and giggling. To them, it was like watching a wild animal in a zoo. Completely unaware of their presence, I continued to thrash about on the floor. My daughters joined in the fun, jumping and laughing and cheering on their mother. They were having the time of their lives, completely oblivious to the gravity of the situation.

Later, the girls recounted the hilarious scene to their friends and teachers, describing how their mother had thrown a tantrum like a little child. They laughed and giggled, remembering how she had kicked and punched like a crazy person. But I couldn't bring myself to laugh about it. I was too embarrassed by my behavior.

However, I refused to let this setback define me. I pleaded with my professor for a chance to retake the mid-term exam. The professor made a deal with me and said, “Now your mid-term score will remain zero; however, I will replace your mid-term score with whatever score you make for your final exam.”

Determined to succeed, I poured all my efforts into preparing for my final exam. I studied hard and worked tirelessly, and when the time came, I was ready. I received a perfect score for my final exam, and I was the only student in my finance class who got an A on the final.

 In the end, I emerged victorious, having turned my moment of defeat into a story of perseverance and redemption.