Personal Narrative: Vincent Van Gogh's Work

“As we advance in life it becomes more and more difficult, but in fighting the difficulties the inmost strength of the heart is developed,” Vincent Van Gogh quoted. Albert Einstein, JK Rowling, Vincent Van Gogh, and I all have something in common. Apart from being passionate about a subject, we have all failed at some point. Yet, this does not stop us from trying again. JK Rowling was rejected fifteen times before her book was published. Each time Rowling failed she revised her work and published it again. Einstein also failed various times when he tried to come up with theories. Van Gogh only had one ear and people did not take notice of him because he was mentally ill and isolated. Van Gogh then became famous after he died at age thirty-seven.

When I was planning on getting into the Mathematics and Science Academy I did not know I had to fail a few times before I got in. The Scholastic Aptitude Test was on a Saturday from nine in the morning until midday. I was anxious the first time I did the Scholastic Aptitude Test, a standardized test. I waited for the results patiently. I found out my results several months later and I was devastated because I only needed thirty more points until I passed the required score. I was determined to try as many times as I could to pass all of the sections. This meant I had to take a different test called the TSI.
The Texas Success Initiative is a program that decides whether or not a student is ready for college-level classes.

The first time I took it I had rushed through it. Therefore, I did not pass the writing, math, and reading sections that I needed by ten points. My second try was more successful but not quite fully. I took all of the sections once again and was nervous that I would fail since I kept thinking back to the first time I took those sections. The results lifted up my mood. I had passed the math and reading sections. Unfortunately, I had gotten a four on my writing once again. I needed a five in order to pass the section. I decided to give it one more try before I gave up. I studied harder than I had with the other sections since I had difficulties with writing. The following week I showed up to only take the writing section. I was overwhelmed with stress and sleep deprivation, but I wanted to get into MSA. Therefore, I stayed there and gave it a third try. I was asked to write about Mongols. To my advantage, my world history class was going over Asia. When I finished the section, I held my breath until I submitted the test. I did not dare to look at my grade on the computer screen until I saw it on paper. When the supervisor handed me the paper, a smile spread across my

face.
Despite the numerous amount of times I had to re-take the sections, especially writing, I was willing to try as long as I had a reason. Being successful means to try until you succeed and never give up regardless of the obstacles. JK Rowling is one of the best known artists because she did not give up on publishing her books. Albert Einstein’s theories are well known in the science field. Vincent Van Gogh did not give up his passion of painting and he is now a well-known artist that many young aspiring artists look up to. I kept trying and did not give up until I passed all the required sections that I need to be accepted into MSA.