Winter 1993, Basingstoke, UK.
I did ok at secondary school but generally didn’t pay enough attention and drifted along.
I ended up with mediocre grades, just enough to scrape into A’ Levels.
I then tried drifting through my A’ Levels with the same misguided approach. However A’ Levels are much less forgiving and I sleepwalked into abysmal grades.
When I was younger I had always wanted to a) run my own business and b) go to University.
Suddenly the opportunity of going to University slipped through my fingers and worst still I faced the prospect of staying in the sleepy village I’d been brought up in. It was a real punch in the guts.
So, after letting off steam in Ibiza with friends that summer, I decided to wipe the slate clean and resit my A’ Levels at another college.
New college and new start, but I was still drifting.
Then at some point during the first term, I was in the library and I stumbled across an advert for a book. A motivational guide to help students learn, revise and pass exams. It was written by a guy called Richard Parsons, who went on to make millions with his GCSE study guides empire.
It was a truly life changing book. It showed me how to study, focus, and succeed academically. A combination of practical tips on how to learn properly combined with a form of NLP. So I knuckled down, focussed and “applied myself” as teachers often say.
I passed my A’ Levels, went off to University and escaped the sleepy village.
I can distinctly remember the moment when I opened my exam results for the second time. I’d managed to turn things around and get myself back on track towards my goals. It was an amazing feeling.
It was a real turning point. It made me realise you don’t have to be a passive passenger putting up with what comes your way, but that you can grab the steering wheel and change outcomes. Looking back I guess it was also a lesson in not giving up and determination, fighting for what you believe in.
I had originally planned to study media at University, but based on my new found interest in mind hacks and motivation I studied psychology instead. I got my degree and kickstarted a lifelong interest in how the mind works.
One comment for “What failing at school taught me”
Shak
I’m 52 years old now and had almost an identical experience as you have described above back in 1993/94. I graduated with a bsc in computer science and an msc in International Business. I have decided to go back to university and have been offered to study for a pgce by all 3 universities that I applied for. This book is unfortunately no longer in print.