Dealing with "Failure" - Reflections from a Future Scientist

Hi everyone,

So, we've all had times when we "failed" at something. It could be an important test, a friendship, making a decision, a stage in a video game, or flipping a pancake in the air.

Some failures are small and barely affect us, but some emotionally exhaust us and make us question our actions and decisions.

Below is a reflection that I have written from my summer independent research experience, and I hope that this can motivate you to persevere, adjust, and try again!

I worked relentlessly hard on my independent research project this summer because it meant a lot to both the world and me personally. I stayed until 3 am, then returned at 7 am. However, my protocol kept on failing and failing no matter what I changed. I barely slept or ate this summer, and it has been both physically and mentally exhausting.

I felt burnt out and wondered if I should continue science. Then, I thought about why I got into science in the first place and pushed through.

Turns out, a small section of the experiment succeeded! I also found out that the reason it failed was because of a small detail that I missed out on. How ridiculous! If I had known that earlier, then I wouldn't have exhausted myself this entire summer.

Even though it was not the entire plan that succeeded, a small part still gave me hope.

Countless amounts of experiment attempts have "failed" for me this summer, but one small success was enough to boost my mood.

I learned that...

1) It's okay to "fail". Even if the failure seems big, mistakes are what transform us into wiser and stronger people. Failures allow you to discover or learn something new. So in my opinion, "failures" are not a negative thing. They help us grow, adjust, and become more resilient.

2) Don't give up, but don't consistently do the same thing. When I talk about persevering, I mean that it's okay to just step back, cry, or let your emotions out. Cry, then come back, adjust, and try again, but don't do the same method forever and just expect it to automatically succeed. The work and reflection itself are crucial to success (even if it's just a tiny success).

3) If you want to become a scientist, especially in chemistry or biology, expect lots of failed experiments and protocols. Many scientists have not discovered or invented something new until very later on in their lives. Science requires consistency, resilience, and flexibility.

4) Reflecting on small activities that you did throughout the day offers you a wider perspective. If you ever feel down, depressed, worried, or stressed, reflect on what happened today, this week, this month, or this year. You will be able to see yourself in a third-person perspective and adjust.

This is what I have learned from this summer, and even though it is not revolutionary, I am glad that mistakes allowed me to reflect and become more mature.

I hope this helps and motivates you to keep on going, especially if you're planning to become a scientist!

Also, sorry if there are any grammatical errors. I am writing this while being burnt out.

Thanks so much for reading!

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