life experiences that taught a lesson essay

• HOLIDAYS + GIFT GUIDES
• PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
• PRODUCTIVITY

My 10 Life Experiences That Taught A Lesson

As we grow older, it’s easy to forget what we have learned. But I didn’t want to forget them, therefore here are my 10 life experiences that taught me a lesson.

After entering a decade that is seen as the beginning of “the rest of your life,” I am now officially in my 30s.

Even with that rosy picture, it still felt like something of an ending, and it’s a good time to look back. After all, I have lived for 30 years now, and I’ve had my fair share of life experiences. The fun, the dull, the exciting, the painful, and everything in-between.

If you’re looking for an easy read this isn’t it, sorry to say. However, if you’re wanting to read more of a dissertation on lessons a woman on the internet learned I suggest you grab some tea and buckle up.

So, from the heartache and heartbreak to the greatest moments of my life, here are 10 life experiences that taught a lesson that I’ve found worth remembering.

Table of Adventures

1 // Everyone won’t like you no matter how hard you try.

I always wanted to be that girl in school. The super-popular one, with the cute boyfriend and the legions of friends. I’m sure I’m not alone in that envy, but even though I did manage to make a good couple of friends in high school, I was far from the most popular person in the building.

So what went wrong?

Honestly… nothing. Nothing inside of my control anyway.

Being popular was sort of a big deal to me at the time, because when I was even younger, a lot of kids made fun of me because of my dry skin. In elementary school, you don’t really understand complexion and why to use lotion, and it wasn’t until I entered high school that I actually figured that out.

By that point, though, I was already pretty shy and I had trouble expressing myself. I felt like I looked like a bumbling idiot a lot, not because I didn’t know what I wanted to say, but because every time I opened my mouth, I would say it wrong.

I’d be lying if I said I was completely over that.

But anyway, when I was 12, we moved out of New York City to Connecticut. It was only a 40-minute move, and we were still in a small city-slash-large town, but, to me, it felt like a chance for a fresh start. I wanted to be popular there, and then everything would fall into place, right?

I never became that person. Not even close.

I was friendly and met everyone. I baked cookies, said hi in the halls, and hung out with people whenever I was allowed to. But the fact is, a lot of people already had their own friend groups. I sort of carved mine out, but I didn’t magically turn into Blair Waldorf. Other girls were richer, dressed better, were part of sports teams, and so on.

The realization that it was all okay hit me right at the tail end of high school. Up until that point, this perceived competition really stressed me out, but when it finally hit me that I was going to college and that all this was going to be behind me, I realized how much energy I had wasted vying for affection from people who didn’t owe it to me.

I had great friends in high school. I also had a couple of people who weren’t my biggest fans, due to some drama or another. I had teachers that loved me, some that didn’t seem to care for me, and a whole lot of people who were somewhere in the middle. 

That’s how life is sometimes, and if you obsess about getting everyone to like you, you’re going to spend a whole lot of emotional energy and get very little from most people in return.

And you know what? I’m a hysterical, goofy person, and some people don’t like goofy. Some people don’t like my personality and that’s alright.

The way I see it now, those people then miss out on getting to know me, and that’s okay.

2 // You are truly beautiful as you are.

I also don’t think I’m alone in this struggle either, but for a long time, I struggled with how I perceived my weight. I really thought I was fat all throughout high school and into college. I have naturally large legs; muscular calves and thick thighs. Out here saving those lives, you know?

But they aren’t really defined, since I don’t run a lot. So, in high school, this just made me think “fat.” This is the narrative I repeated to myself over and over and over again. 

While I love my mom, she didn’t exactly help – teenage girls are pretty sensitive people, and when you say something like “well, you’ll slim down when you get taller,” we hear “you’re fat now, but it’ll get better when you grow.”

But then I never grew! So I just thought my mom thought I was fat!

There isn’t a specific point that I suddenly realized I was being ridiculous; putting on a little extra weight after college actually helped, because when I looked back at my pictures and saw that I was actually kind of a babe. I also spoke with my mom about this whole thing, and that was a pretty good way of putting these feelings to rest.

Even if the person can’t wave a magic wand and fix the issue, airing out things can help release a lot of pent-up emotions, so that way you can move on. It helps.

One thing I want to add is that there were two parts to this process… it’s one thing to say “wow, I was being ridiculous criticizing my weight back then, look at me now.” After that, you have to realize that you’re still being ridiculous.

Read this again and again if you struggle with this as I did: you are being ridiculous right now by being hypercritical of your weight.

I am never going to have a thigh gap. I’m never going to be built like Gwyneth Paltrow. I’m built like me. The truth is pretty simple: I’m beautiful as I am. You’re beautiful as you are.

Refusing to accept that can create havoc in your mind and in your body. It is a battle that is far from unique to me and I’m not trying to put this post out there as a simple solution to a complicated problem, but it is a lesson I learned. 

Corny as it is, loving yourself as you are is a great way to reject all the stress that the world will try to place on your shoulders.

Besides, everything is temporary. Skinny people gain weight. Heavier people lose it. We’ve all got a finite number of days on this planet, and you can spend them however you want. You wanna drop a couple of pounds? Go for it! 

Just don’t let that desire speak to you from a place of self-loathing, because life is too short for that. You’re gorgeous… just recognize it.

3 // You don’t owe anyone forgiveness.

People tell you forgiveness is a virtue and sometimes it is. Holding onto anger and resentment isn’t healthy and there’s a lot of wisdom in the old advice “don’t sweat the small stuff.”

But there are always exceptions to rules, and forgiveness is also a personal thing. There’s a difference between coming to peace with the past and absolving someone of their role in it. 

When I think about this lesson, there are two main points in my life I immediately jump to. The first is when I was assaulted in middle school and no one did anything to help. The second has to do with my stepfather.

In middle school, I ended up in some stupid fight about something I don’t even remember. On the other side of the argument was one of the more popular boys in my class, and he picked on me incessantly. In the middle of the fight, he hauls off and starts grabbing at me, choking me. 

I eventually pushed him off me, or maybe he stopped on his own, but as I looked around and saw a bunch of our classmates there, I realized that no one helped. No teachers came to my aid, no students spoke up, and, to my knowledge, he wasn’t even punished.

I know kids can do stupid things. I know he was as young as I was. And I know that all those bystanders who could have intervened were our age as well. But at that age, I knew not to physically assault someone, so why didn’t he? 

The fact is, he attacked me and they all did nothing, and when I think back on that day, neither of those actions was okay.

Different topic, but similar moral: my stepdad has never been much of a ‘dad’ to me. He spent no time with my brother or me during our childhood, he was emotionally abusive to my mother and a rather physical disciplinarian with us. 

He ran his relationship with my mother into the ground by keeping his priorities on anything and everything else besides our family but refused to sign divorce papers until only recently. And in spite of his claims to want to make the marriage work, he was unfaithful, and he didn’t do any of the work required to make those words mean anything.

That one is still a bit sore for me if you noticed, but the fact is, these are the facts of my life. I can’t change them. And I can only, in a lot of ways, come to peace with the fact that these things have happened. 

But don’t buy into that feel-good gaslighting that in order to move on you need to forgive everyone who has wronged you. You don’t. You can, quite simply, move on.

See, for a lot of people, forgiveness involves gaining a sense of absolution. You’re saying that the past can stay in the past and that we’re going to ‘move on’ from it. 

In the case of my stepdad, however, I don’t want to move on with him in my life. I don’t view it as healthy to pretend what he did to me was okay. I can accept that it happened and I can examine my own feelings of anger, resentment, whatever it is that I’m working through. 

But having this allegedly cathartic moment where I tell him that what he did was okay so that he can feel better about his mistakes, and that mitigating his guilt over the past is somehow going to unchain me from it… I don’t buy it.

I work on myself and try to meditate and so on. He can do the same. He can find a balance that allows him to look at what he’s done and accept where it’s gotten him.

And so that’s the lesson I learned. Acceptance is alright. Moving on is necessary. But forgiveness is entirely optional, and it should only be given on your terms, not on the other person’s. 

Don’t guilt yourself into forgiving people who you don’t feel deserve it.

4 // You may have hurt someone badly, even if you didn’t think you did. Sincerely apologize and understand that those people don’t need to accept it, forgive you, or talk to you ever again.

I have hurt a lot of people in my life.

Sometimes my intentions were good but were not construed well. Sometimes I went about a particular problem in the wrong way and I ruined relationships that I had no intention of ruining.

One time over one summer that I worked as a camp counselor I had a friend text a boy I had really liked (I really have no idea why I did this, sigh) that I was breaking it off with him. He basically never spoke to me ever again even though I had tried everything – sending messages, texting, calling, sending smoke signals. 

My hope was that I could tell him I was sorry, but he wasn’t interested in hearing from me.

Eventually, I even ran into him in person, completely by accident. I remember he was cordial, but the encounter was so short that I didn’t really have the opportunity to apologize. 

I also remember the visceral reaction I had upon seeing him and how it made me realize I still regretted how I had hurt him. At the end of the day, he had shut the door on my chance to apologize and, out of respect for him, it was his choice whether to reopen it or not. And he didn’t, so that’s something I have to accept.

5 // Take responsibility for your actions.

When you make a mistake, you need to own up to it.

I hadn’t intended to hurt their feelings, but that’s what had happened. So I remember talking to my supervisor and the question came up: “what are you going to do about it?”

In that case, I sat down with the kid and apologized. And I got to know them better and managed to change the negative experience into a lesson learned for both of us. The child learned that it was okay to say something when someone hurts your feelings, and I learned that what one person finds harmless can really upset someone else.

The stakes only get higher as you get older, so I’m thankful that I learned at a relatively young age that the best thing you can do when you make a mistake is own it, then try your best to fix it.

6 // Speak up when someone has hurt you, overstepped boundaries, or makes you feel uncomfortable.

This is a lesson we’re usually told as youngsters, but it bears repeating over and over. In a way, I learned it from that child I mentioned in the last passage, but it also took me several more years until it clicked that the same lesson applied to me.

Hint: the same lesson probably applies to you and your situation, too.

Some people do not take boundaries well, but at the end of the day, there’s nothing worse than having someone walk all over you. You can’t be a “yes man” for your whole life, nor can you just go along with everything. Even if you’re normally pretty easy-going, it is okay to have boundaries.

When someone hurts you – speak up for yourself! When someone oversteps their boundaries let them know. If you’ve never brought it up before, this can be how you tell them what you expect from them, and if you have spoken to them about it, this can be your way of reminding them that your boundaries aren’t optional.

Either the person will take it well or they won’t. That isn’t within your control. But if they are understanding, your relationship will get stronger, and if they aren’t receptive… at least you have a clear understanding of how much they respect you (or don’t, frankly).

7 // Find people you can trust completely, then seek help from them when you need it.

There will be times where you are in trouble. And times when you just need someone to talk to. These aren’t things to be ashamed of, these are facts of life. 

Personally. Professionally. In all things. Integrity and honesty are not traits you can fake, and you will earn more respect from your peers (and yourself) if you are humble enough to admit your mistakes and responsible enough to work to fix them. 

If you’re the one taking point on correcting a mistake, you’re also going to catch less flak for it, and you’re going to show everyone around you that you can take criticism and that you’re willing to learn.

The experience that taught me this was working for an after-school program when I was a teenager. I had joked around with a lot of the children and one child had a softer shell than the rest of them and ended up very upset. 

And speaking of ‘life,’ the truth is we all have several ‘lives’: our financial life, our professional life, our love life, our emotional and mental health… Being an adult is all about multitasking all these very different functions, but the fact is very few people are good at all of these things.

So here’s where self-awareness comes into play. Are you great at some of these areas, but lacking in others? That’s okay, it’s actually normal. Think about all the successful people who have a mid-life crisis because they ignored all their stress and emotions for 20 years, focusing entirely on their financial and professional well-being.

You wouldn’t expect a business tycoon to be an expert in dating, and you wouldn’t necessarily take stock tips from Shaq, so why are you suddenly expecting yourself to be a rockstar in all these different fields?

So find someone you can trust and talk to them about what you feel you’re lacking. Sometimes all it comes down to is confidence, but other times you can learn something by leaning on someone else’s expertise. 

At the very least you end up getting some stress off your chest, so you don’t end up bottling up your anxieties until they start seeping out in other ways.

I have a bad relationship with money, for example. I get anxiety where I’ll have trouble sleeping and my chest feels tight when I talk about it, and when I was going to school in Virginia, it really got bad. I was working part-time, but relying on my stepdad to help support me (broke college student and he literally told me he would), but when it came down to actually providing said support, the money was nowhere.

I was getting mostly As and Bs, so it wasn’t the grades he objected to, instead he flat-out denied that he had ever agreed to help.

Regardless of how much of a keeper (sarcasm!) he was, the fact is that I was in the situation I was in. And it caused me so much anxiety that it started seeping into other aspects of my life. 

It became harder to study because I was tired, and I was tired because I was having trouble sleeping, and then I tried to stop looking at the mail because the bills kept piling up and if I thought about it I would get distracted, but then I got hit with late fees, and it’s all a vicious cycle.

I only got out of that predicament by asking for help. I talked to my mother. I talked to my boyfriend. I talked to my aunt. I figured out what I could do to repay them later. And the fact is: they wanted to help, once they realized I needed it. They were more than happy to step up, but they didn’t know I needed help.

Typically what happens when we feel overwhelmed with something we aren’t very good at, we avoid it. We don’t express what we’re going through, because talking about it necessitates thinking about it. And yet, when you do talk to someone about it, you always feel so relieved, like a weight is off your shoulders.

Lean into that feeling. Avoiding uncomfortable subjects can be tempting and you don’t need to spend every day embroiling yourself in your anxieties, but it can also be a trap. 

If you find someone you can rely upon for honest advice, you can get a lot farther by trusting them to help you fix the issues, instead of just ignoring them and hoping they never explode.

8 // It’s OK to restrict access to specific places in your life to specific people.

Remember I said that not everyone is worthy of your forgiveness? Not everyone is worthy of your time, either.

I don’t say that to be stuck-up or judgmental, either. I don’t mean “the poor” or “people less popular than you.” I mean people who make your life worse. You only have so much time in a day, week, month, and year. How much of that limited time are you going to dedicate to someone who negatively impacts your life?

For example, there’s my “dad.” Less than a father, he’s simply the guy who married my mother. He’s a net negative for my life. Think Hiram Lodge from Riverdale, but not a mobster… or successful.

I’m not trying to come off jaded or harp on him unnecessarily. I’m not going to rehash all the ways he’s wronged me, or repeat things from earlier in the post. I only reiterate this here to say: this is my situation with someone I view as a negative influence in my life, who I have cut out of it.

This view of mine might be somewhat generational. I know older people I talk to tend to push back a little more when it comes to respect for one’s parents, but my question to the audience now is “how far does that go?”

I ask myself the question: “What, if anything, do I owe this man who did provide some of the financial support for my upbringing, but has also repeatedly let me down, lied, cheated, mentally abused me, my brother, and my mother; the whole nine yards? What do I owe him?”

Some people would say, “Everything, he’s your father, you should respect him for the rest of your life.” I say no. Respect is earned, even towards your parents. 

Parents get respect because they love and they care for their children, and if they don’t, their children shouldn’t be shackled to notions that they are somehow supposed to dote upon their abusive elders for the rest of their lives.

That’s not healthy. It’s… well it’s a lot of things, but it isn’t healthy.

Asking these questions. Drawing a line for yourself – setting boundaries for yourself – and enforcing them. That is healthy.

I finally got this from my mother, who decided that enough is enough. She’s divorcing him, after decades of putting up with his crap. And in talking with her about her anxieties, her resentments, and her uncertainties about the future, I realized that I echoed a few of them.

It is very easy to remain comfortable. You know what they say about “a body in motion remains in motion?” The other half of the quote is, “a body that’s napping, remains napping.” Or something like that.

Even if the behavior is not healthy or helpful, we can be tempted to stick with it because it’s familiar. And even if the person is toxic as tar, we will put up with them because of this fear of… seclusion, maybe? Loneliness? A lack of other options staring you in the face?

Since the post is about me and I don’t want to just guess at my mother’s true feelings about a super complicated issue, let me say that the struggle for me is that I have this toxic man, this miserable person, on one hand, and, on the other, I have the fact that I want to love my dad. I want to have a father I can respect and love. 

Who wouldn’t want a father figure in their life? So I have this mental abuser standing over there, who I allow into my life because I am afraid that without him I will feel lacking. I won’t have that sense of a “dad” that I can lean on when times get tough.

But here’s the kicker: I could never rely on him anyway. This idea of a father figure is one that I am going to be lacking, whether or not my stepfather is in my life or not. Whether or not I allow him to continue this endless cycle of disappointing me. 

So, at the end of the day, cutting out this man is less about rejecting that role that a father is supposed to play in someone’s life, and more about saying “you are not a positive influence in my life and I am done pretending otherwise.”

When all is said and done, you don’t have unlimited time to spend on everyone. Sometimes you even have to limit the time you spend with friends, bosses, co-workers, etc. This becomes tougher when it comes to family because there’s a lot of pressure to put family first.

My lesson for the day, the TLDR version anyway, is that blood isn’t thicker than water when it comes to how someone treats you. If your family doesn’t respect you, love you, and make you stronger, then the logical conclusion is to limit how much time and energy you allow for them.

That doesn’t have to be an absolute cutting-off, but it could be. The only one who can really decide what is appropriate is you. If you have a family member that invalidates you, hurts you, or generally makes your life worse, you are allowed to cut that person off .

Your sanity is worth so much more than empty quotes about family from people who use them as weapons.

9 // If your work life is trash, find something better, try to up your education game or quit if you can.

I remember working for a law firm, and as someone who is very lively and happy, that place sucked the life out of me.

I had a co-worker who abruptly quit and I was thrust into handling the office all by myself for practically two months before a replacement was found. I’d already put in vacation time from months prior before this occurred, too, and I wasn’t giving them up for anyone.

I was uncomfortable in wanting to say no to attorneys who needed work done that I just couldn’t get to when they wanted and they overstepped boundaries that I otherwise wouldn’t have let people in my personal life get away with.

So why did I let it go on? Because I felt like I had no other option.

Well, they ended up hiring someone to take my place even though I had streamlined processes and worked my absolute butt off for them. They hired someone to take my place even though I rearranged my days off, and stayed late if I needed to. 

All those times I remembered how certain clients liked their coffee so that my lawyers could have that little extra touch of sincerity to start their meetings? They still hired someone to take my place.

To them, it was a business decision and nothing more. But what that implies is that your feelings of loyalty to your employer aren’t necessarily misguided… but they might be. 

Women especially are pressured to care so much about our families, so much about our jobs, to always go the extra mile, but if that never translates into reciprocated loyalty, why should we?

I was in a privileged place when I left that law firm and I could try to finish my education. I know that there are a lot of people who simply don’t have the means to do so, and that’s OK. 

But if you are in a place in life where you can find something better, do it. If you are comfortable and that’s why you put up with the bullshit… update your resume. 

Poke your head up out of the sand and just make sure you’re still on the right beach.

Because employers are going to pay you as little as they can get away with, not as much as you are worth. They are not going to pay you what your loyalty warrants, either. They are not going to give you extra vacation days or pay for your health care deductible if a medical emergency comes up. 

I mean… if you find yourself working for the exception, forget this whole section, they deserve your loyalty. But for the vast majority, if you had a crisis in your life and you couldn’t work, they would simply replace you.

So if you’re not happy, consider replacing them. Stop settling for mediocrity.

P.S. If you’re looking for a way to learn information in order to leave your awful space try Coursera (it’s where I’m taking my Project Management course!)

10 // The longer you procrastinate to start something, the more overwhelmed you’ll feel. So be like Shia LaBeouf, and just do it.

I am the Queen of Procrastination.

I have had many ideas for YouTube channels that I had 10 years ago, thought about doing over and over again, and never did them. And then a channel comes out with the idea that I had and starts making millions. Of course, I then feel like a sourpuss because I’m terrified of starting something that I think won’t do well.

But, I tend to have good ideas. I suck at execution.

Even if you don’t have any good ideas, or you’re scared of the outcome, do it anyway. Bite the bullet and just do it.

I’ll use this blog, Lemonade + Adventure, as an example. I had wanted to start blogging over a year ago but didn’t think about it seriously until we were in the middle of the Pandemic of 2020. It wasn’t until I was laid off and needing something to do that I seriously looked into what I can do to support myself as a business owner. I chose to blog as one venture.

In terms of blogging as a business, if I had started earlier, I’d be much farther along already. But on the other hand, I can already see this starting to come together. 

Whether, in 10 years’ time, I’m doing this or life leads me down a different path, I can’t say for certain right now. But I’ve got lessons that I’ve got to learn. And I know that I learn by doing.

So if you are like me, then stop overthinking and start doing.

Life Experiences That Taught A Lesson Conclusion

We all have life experiences that we can siphon a lesson or two from. You have lessons that you can learn from, too. I’d love to hear your stories of experiences you’ve learned from and the lessons you gleaned.

P.S. I was super sick when I wrote this so I’m surprised I got this all off my chest. Yay me, I guess? 😛

Related Article: 60+ Unique & Thoughtful Ways to Take Care of Yourself For Women In Their 20s

Personal life experience stories, leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• Entertainment
• Environment
• Information Science and Technology
• Social Issues

Home Essay Samples Life Life Lesson

Life Experiences That Taught a Lesson: How Experience Contributes to Our Growth

Table of contents, overcoming failure and resilience, embracing change and adaptability, empathy and compassion, facing fear and overcoming limitations, self-discovery and personal identity.

*minimum deadline

Cite this Essay

To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below

• Beowulf Hero
• Self Assessment
• Role Models

Need writing help?

You can always rely on us no matter what type of paper you need

*No hidden charges

100% Unique Essays

Absolutely Confidential

Money Back Guarantee

By clicking “Send Essay”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement. We will occasionally send you account related emails

You can also get a UNIQUE essay on this or any other topic

Thank you! We’ll contact you as soon as possible.

Life Experiences That Taught a Lesson: 5 Powerful Lessons Learned

Sometimes, these lessons come in the form of unexpected challenges that push us to our limits, while other times they come through moments of pure joy and triumph. Regardless of how they present themselves, the lessons we learn through our personal encounters shape us into who we’re today. From the small, mundane moments to the significant, life-altering events, these experiences offer us an opportunity for growth, self-reflection, and a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us. They teach us to let go of the things we’ve no control over, to dust ourselves off and rise up again after failure, and to recognize that our identity isn’t defined by our achievements or titles, but rather by the inherent worth and value given to us by something greater than ourselves. These life experiences remind us of the importance of having faith in the face of adversity, of holding onto hope even when circumstances seem bleak, and of persevering through the darkest of times. They show us that the road to a better future isn’t always easy, but with dedication, determination, and a belief that things will get better, we can create a beautiful narrative of redemption and triumph. So, let’s delve into the powerful lessons learned from life experiences that have shaped us, teaching us invaluable wisdom and guiding us towards a more meaningful existence.

Why Are Lessons Learned So Important?

Lessons learned are important because they allow individuals and organizations to grow and improve. They provide a chance to reflect on past experiences and gain insight into what worked well and what didnt. By capturing these lessons, individuals can avoid repeating the same mistakes and make more informed decisions in the future.

Reflecting on life experiences that taught a lesson can be a powerful way to gain self-awareness and personal growth. It allows individuals to identify patterns and behaviors that may be hindering their success or happiness. By understanding the lessons learned from these experiences, individuals can make conscious changes to lead a more fulfilling and purposeful life.

By identifying what worked well and what didnt, organizations can implement changes and improvements to enhance their efficiency and effectiveness. Lessons learned also facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration within teams, promoting a culture of learning and continuous improvement.

They enable personal and professional growth, foster a culture of learning, and drive innovation. By capturing and applying these lessons, individuals and organizations can learn from past mistakes and achieve greater success in their future endeavors.

The Importance of Sharing Lessons Learned With Others

• Enhances personal growth
• Fosters collaboration and innovation
• Prevents reinventing the wheel
• Improves decision-making
• Builds stronger relationships
• Empowers others
• Increases individual and team effectiveness
• Facilitates organizational learning
• Drives continuous improvement

Learning life lessons the hard way is an inevitable part of the human experience. Through struggle, mistakes, and failure, we’re pushed to our limits, forcing us to confront our weaknesses and grow. Although the process can be uncomfortable and challenging, it ultimately molds us into wiser, more confident individuals who’re emotionally resilient.

Why Are Some of the Most Important Life Lessons Learned the Hard Way?

Some of the most important life lessons are often learned the hard way because they involve struggle, mistakes, and failure. When we go through difficult experiences, we’re forced to confront our limitations and face the consequences of our actions. These moments of hardship not only teach us valuable lessons about ourselves and the world, but they also build resilience and strength within us.

Learning the hard way requires us to be patient and persistent. It isn’t easy to navigate through challenges and setbacks, but the process of overcoming them allows us to grow and learn. We’ve to work through our emotions and face our fears head-on, which can be uncomfortable and sometimes downright painful. However, pushing through these discomforts ultimately leads to personal growth and a deeper understanding of ourselves.

Making mistakes and experiencing failure also forces us to take responsibility for our actions. When we learn the hard way, we can’t simply brush things off or avoid accountability. We’ve to confront our shortcomings and acknowledge the consequences of our choices. This humility and self-awareness are crucial for personal growth and development.

Furthermore, the lessons we learn through difficult experiences are often more powerful and lasting. When we struggle, we’re more likely to remember the lessons we’ve learned and apply them in the future. By going through the process of learning the hard way, we gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the knowledge we’ve acquired.

In addition, the confidence and assurance that come from learning the hard way are invaluable. When we’ve overcome challenges and learned from our mistakes, we become more self-assured in our abilities. We know that we’ve faced adversity and come out stronger on the other side, which gives us the confidence to tackle future obstacles.

Overall, learning the hard way provides us with powerful life lessons and personal growth. While it may be uncomfortable and challenging, the experiences and knowledge gained through struggle, mistakes, and failure are invaluable. They teach us resilience, responsibility, and confidence, shaping us into stronger and wiser individuals.

The Power of Resilience: Explain How Resilience Is Developed Through Overcoming Difficult Experiences and How It Can Positively Impact Various Aspects of Life.

• Resilience is developed through overcoming difficult experiences.
• It can positively impact various aspects of life.
• Resilience helps build emotional strength and mental fortitude.
• Overcoming challenges fosters personal growth and development.
• Resilience enables individuals to bounce back from setbacks and adversity.
• It cultivates a sense of determination and perseverance.
• Resilience enhances problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• It promotes healthier coping mechanisms and stress management techniques.
• Resilience fosters stronger relationships and social connections.
• It allows individuals to adapt and thrive in changing circumstances.
• Resilience empowers individuals to pursue their goals and dreams.

Lessons learned in a project can provide valuable insights for future endeavors. One example is the importance of supporting the team by delegating tasks appropriately and setting realistic deadlines. By doing so, team members can focus on their strengths and work efficiently towards project goals. Clear communication is another lesson learned that can significantly impact project success. Regular check-ins and open lines of communication help prevent misunderstandings and keep everyone on the same page. Lastly, giving praise frequently is an effective way to motivate and boost team morale, acknowledging the team’s achievements and fostering a positive work environment.

What Are Some Examples of Lessons Learned?

Life is a continuous cycle of learning, and there are countless experiences that can shape us and teach us valuable lessons. One powerful lesson that life often imparts is the importance of resilience and perseverance. Through difficult and challenging times, we learn that setbacks and failures aren’t the end, but rather opportunities for growth. These experiences teach us to stay determined, keep pushing forward, and never give up.

Another lesson that life teaches us is the value of humility. As we navigate through various situations and encounter different people, we realize that no one is perfect and that we all have our strengths and weaknesses. Humility teaches us to be open-minded, to listen to the perspectives of others, and to always be willing to learn and grow.

One of the most powerful lessons life can teach us is the importance of self-care and prioritizing our mental and physical well-being. Balancing work, relationships, and personal responsibilities can be overwhelming at times, but when we neglect ourselves, we’re unable to effectively care for others. This lesson prompts us to set boundaries, practice self-care routines, and prioritize our own needs.

Life also teaches us the significance of forgiveness. Holding onto grudges and anger only weighs us down and hinders our personal growth. When we learn to forgive others and ourselves, we free ourselves from negativity and allow ourselves to move forward with a lighter heart and a renewed sense of inner peace.

Finally, one of the most powerful lessons we can learn is the importance of gratitude. Through various life experiences, we come to understand that it’s the little things in life that truly matter. Expressing gratitude for the people, experiences, and blessings in our lives teaches us to appreciate what we have, rather than always seeking what we lack.

These are just a few examples of the powerful lessons that can be learned along the journey. From resilience and humility to self-care, forgiveness, and gratitude, these lessons shape us and guide us towards personal growth and fulfillment. It’s through our life experiences that we gain wisdom and learn the most valuable lessons that stay with us for a lifetime.

The Importance of Maintaining a Positive Mindset and Attitude.

• Positivity has the power to transform one’s outlook on life.
• A positive mindset helps to overcome obstacles and challenges.
• It promotes resilience and the ability to bounce back from setbacks.
• Having a positive attitude improves mental and emotional well-being.
• Positive thinking can lead to increased motivation and productivity.
• It enhances relationships and communication with others.
• Maintaining a positive mindset attracts positive experiences and opportunities.
• It can improve physical health and boost the immune system.
• A positive attitude can inspire and influence others in a positive way.
• Practicing gratitude and focusing on the good can cultivate a positive mindset.

In the journey of life, we encounter countless experiences that teach us powerful lessons. These lessons aren’t filtered through textbooks or lectures, but rather engraved in the fabric of our existence through real-life encounters. Through these experiences, we unearth the value hidden within us, recognizing the worth we possess in ways we may have never imagined. We learn to surrender the things we can’t control, understanding that true strength lies in our ability to let go. We discover that our identity isn’t defined by our actions or accomplishments, but rather by the unconditional love and acceptance God grants us. And as we navigate through the storms, we cultivate a resilient faith that believes in the possibility of brighter days ahead. This faith requires diligent effort and perseverance, but it ultimately leads us to the rewarding chapter of a story redeemed. Through these transformative life experiences, we’re granted invaluable wisdom and insight that shape us into the best versions of ourselves.

Related Posts

Finding joy in the lord, the maker of heaven and earth, more blessing or more blessings – exploring the abundance in our lives, what is a good message to your team | tips for effective communication within your organization, romans 8: highly favored – unpacking the promises of scripture.

Essays About Life Lessons: Top 5 Examples and 7 Prompts

Read our guide to see the top examples and prompts on essays about life lessons to communicate your thoughts effectively.

Jordan Peterson once said, “Experience is the best teacher, and the worst experiences teach the best lessons.” The many life lessons we’ll accumulate in our life will help us veer in the right direction to fulfill our destinies. Whether it’s creative or nonfiction, as long as it describes the author’s personal life experiences or worldview, recounting life lessons falls under the personal or narrative essay category. 

To successfully write an essay on this topic, you must connect with your readers and allow them to visualize, understand, and get inspired by what you have learned about life. To do this, you must remember critical elements such as a compelling hook, engaging story, relatable characters, suitable setting, and significant points. 

See below five examples of life lessons essays to inspire you:

1. Life Lessons That the First Love Taught Me by Anonymous on GradesFixer.Com

2. the dad’s life lessons and the role model for the children by anonymous on studymoose.com, 3. studying history and own mistakes as life lessons: opinion essay by anonymous on edubirdie.com, 4. life lessons by anonymous on phdessay.com, 5. valuable lessons learned in life by anonymous on eduzaurus.com, 1. life lessons from books, 2. my biggest mistake and the life lesson i learned, 3. the life lessons i’ve learned, 4. life lessons from a popular show, 5. using life lessons in starting a business, 6. life lessons you must know, 7. kids and life lessons.

“I thought I knew absolutely everything about loving someone by the age of fourteen. Clearly I knew nothing and I still have so much to learn about what it is like to actually love someone.”

The author relates how their first love story unfolds, including the many things they learned from it. An example is that no matter how compatible the couple is if they are not for each other, they will not last long and will break up eventually. The writer also shares that situations that test the relationship, such as jealousy, deserve your attention as they aid people in picking the right decisions. The essay further tells how the writer’s relationship became toxic and affected their mental and emotional stability, even after the breakup. To cope and heal, they stopped looking for connections and focused on their grades, family, friends, and self-love.

“I am extremely thankful that he could teach me all the basics like how to ride a bike, how to fish and shoot straight, how to garden, how to cook, how to drive, how to skip a rock, and even how to blow spitballs. But I am most thankful that could teach me to stand tall (even though I’m 5’3”), be full with my heart and be strong with my mind.”

In this essay, the writer introduces their role model who taught them almost everything they know in their seventeen years of life, their father. The writer shares that their father’s toughness, stubbornness, and determination helped them learn to stand up for themselves and others and not be a coward in telling the truth. Because of him, the author learned how to be kind, generous, and mature. Finally, the author is very grateful to their father, who help them to think for themselves and not believe everything they hear.

“In my opinion, I believe it is more important to study the past rather than the present because we can learn more from our mistakes.”

This short essay explains the importance of remembering past events to analyze our mistakes. The author mentions that when people do this, they learn and grow from it, which prevents them from repeating the same error in the present time. The writer also points out that everyone has made the mistake of letting others dictate how their life goes, often leading to failures. 

“… I believe we come here to learn a valuable lesson. If we did not learn this lesson through out a life time, our souls would come back to repeat the process.” 

This essay presents three crucial life lessons that everyone needs to know. The first is to stop being too comfortable in taking people and things for granted. Instead, we must learn to appreciate everything. The second is to realize that mistakes are part of everyone’s life. So don’t let the fear of making mistakes stop you from trying something new. The third and final lesson is from Frank Sinatra’s “My Way.” People learn and grow as they age, so everyone needs to remember to live their life as if it were their last with no regrets.

“Life lessons are not necessarily learned from bad experiences, it can also be learned from good experiences, accomplishments, mistakes of other people, and by reading too.”

The essay reminds the readers to live their life to the fullest and cherish people and things in their lives because life is too short. If you want something, do not let it slip away without trying. If it fails, do not suffer and move on. The author also unveils the importance of travelling, keeping a diary, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

7 Prompts for Essays About Life Lessons

Use the prompts below if you’re still undecided on what to write about:

As mentioned above, life lessons are not only from experiences but also from reading. So for this prompt, pick up your favorite book and write down the lessons you learned from it. Next, identify each and explain to your readers why you think it’s essential to incorporate these lessons into real life. Finally, add how integrating these messages affected you. 

There are always lessons we can derive from mistakes. However, not everyone understands these mistakes, so they keep doing them. Think of all your past mistakes and choose one that had the most significant negative impact on you and the people around you. Then, share with your readers what it is, its causes, and its effects. Finally, don’t forget to discuss what you gained from these faults and how you prevent yourself from doing them again.

Compile all the life lessons you’ve realized from different sources. They can be from your own experience, a relative’s, a movie, etc. Add why these lessons resonate with you. Be creative and use metaphors or add imaginary scenarios. Bear in mind that your essay should convey your message well.

Popular shows are an excellent medium for teaching life lessons to a broad audience. In your essay, pick a well-known work and reflect on it. For example, Euphoria is a TV series that created hubbub for its intrigue and sensitive themes. Dissect what life lessons one can retrieve from watching the show and relate them to personal encounters. You can also compile lessons from online posts and discussions.

If the subject of “life lessons” is too general for you, scope a more specific area, such as entrepreneurship. Which life lessons are critical for a person in business? To make your essay easier to digest, interview a successful business owner and ask about the life lessons they’ve accumulated before and while pursuing their goals.

Use this prompt to present the most important life lessons you’ve collected throughout your life. Then, share why you selected these lessons. For instance, you can choose “Live life as if it’s your last” and explain that you realized this life lesson after suddenly losing a loved one.

Have you ever met someone younger than you who taught you a life lesson? If so, in this prompt, tell your reader the whole story and what life lesson you discovered. Then, you can reverse it and write an incident where you give a good life lesson to someone older than you – say what it was and if that lesson helped them. Read our storytelling guide to upgrade your techniques.

Maria Caballero is a freelance writer who has been writing since high school. She believes that to be a writer doesn't only refer to excellent syntax and semantics but also knowing how to weave words together to communicate to any reader effectively.

View all posts

HIGH SCHOOL

• ACT Tutoring
• SAT Tutoring
• PSAT Tutoring
• ASPIRE Tutoring
• SHSAT Tutoring
• STAAR Tutoring

GRADUATE SCHOOL

• MCAT Tutoring
• GRE Tutoring
• LSAT Tutoring
• GMAT Tutoring
• AIMS Tutoring
• HSPT Tutoring
• ISAT Tutoring
• SSAT Tutoring

Search 50+ Tests

Loading Page

math tutoring

• Elementary Math
• Pre-Calculus
• Trigonometry

science tutoring

Foreign languages.

• Mandarin Chinese

elementary tutoring

• Computer Science

Search 350+ Subjects

• Video Overview
• Tutor Selection Process
• Online Tutoring
• Mobile Tutoring
• Instant Tutoring
• How We Operate
• Our Guarantee
• Impact of Tutoring
• Reviews & Testimonials
• Media Coverage
• About Varsity Tutors

The Experience that Taught me a Valuable Life Lesson by EDUARDO

EDUARDOof Miami's entry into Varsity Tutor's October 2013 scholarship contest

The Experience that Taught me a Valuable Life Lesson by EDUARDO - October 2013 Scholarship Essay

Everyone has learned a valuable life lesson outside of the classroom. These life lessons might have changed some people’s lives forever. In the beginning of this year, I lived through an experience that changed the way I see life and taught me a very important lesson. I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, a severe illness, teaching me that there are always obstacles that appear in one’s life for a reason and that life just goes on. To begin, I was diagnosed with a severe Ulcerative Colitis, which is the inflammation of the large intestine. Symptoms of this disease included abdominal pain, bloody stools, and fevers. It was the worst news I have ever received in my life. I had to deal with an inflammable bowel disease for the rest of my life. I would always think to myself why I received this disease at such a young age when I am only starting to live. The news was really devastating for me. After I was discharged, I had to deal with this disease, meaning I had to eat healthy, to make sure I don’t get another flare-up. I had to deal with these flare-ups from time to time. These flare-ups were a problem for me in school. I usually didn't participate in extracurricular activities because of flare-ups and was often hospitalized frequently. It wasn't until January of this year that I experienced a severe flare-up after my junior ring ceremony that I was forced to be hospitalized. What was yet to come was the worst part of this obstacle. My gastroenterologist performed some tests for a couple of days and came to the conclusion that I needed to get my large intestine removed and instead have a temporary colostomy bag. He said as well that if the large intestine wasn't removed, I would be at a high risk of getting colon cancer. I decided to get the surgery as I was tired of my frequent flare-ups. In February, I received a surgery which required the removal of my large intestine. After my surgery, I was fine until I had complications after the surgery. My digestive system was paralyzed and wasn't working properly. I was then sent to intensive care following three more surgeries. After three months of recovery, I was finally discharged in the beginning of May. By that time I had lost forty pounds and could hardly walk after being in bed for a long time. I was then home schooled for the rest of the school year and received physical and psychological therapy after what I've been through for four months. This experience was the most unique experience I have ever faced in my life. This experience taught me a life lesson that I would have never understood without going through this obstacle. This experience taught me that anything that may affect a person, whether it is mild or severe, may happen for a reason. This lesson taught me that if anything mild or severe were to affect me again later in the future, then I would have look at that situation in a positive manner, knowing that something good will come of it. In addition, this experience taught me as well that life goes on and there will be things that you will have to live with for the rest of your life whether it is a disease or maybe a death of a loved one. I am glad I went through this experience, as it taught me a valuable life lesson that I would have possibly never understood without this experience.

Trending Post - A peaceful home-5 ideas to create sanctuary for you and your guests

12 life experiences that taught a lesson

There is an old adage that says we cannot give what we don’t have; that we can’t pour out of an empty cup. That doesn’t stop us from trying.

As we prepare to wrap up another year, I wanted to share a bit of what I’ve learned during the recent calendar of changes. These things were all inspired by the wisdom of others. Friends who will inspire you too as you reflect upon 2019.

Seasons are about much more than the coming of snow or the blooming of flowers. They represent life and our own human struggles to do better, to become, to let go.

 Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards. ―  Søren Kierkegaard

As this year passes, the seasons of being the kind of friend I wanted to be have been too sparse. But my friends, thankfully, have been generous. Some years we are able to give abundantly, and other years we need to receive. Without shame or rejection of the gifts of others. I still need to work on that, do you?

It doesn’t come naturally, this posture of accepting, though it really should. We use our gifts to help each other, after all, and the refilling of our cups often comes from the love of those around us. People we know well. Strangers who leave a kind word on a social account. Passersby who see who we really are and offer us a broader, more generous smile on the low days.

This season, let me share with you the lessons I’ve learned from people who just were going about their lives, who were never trying to teach…but their lives spoke clearly:

Lessons learned through experience

• We have value in 100 ways we don’t see. Let’s stop belittling our efforts and amplifying our flaws. All of us, right now, are blessings to the world around us. Even when we suffer, even if we stumble. We matter greatly to those who love us
• Let go of the things you have no control over and get back up . One of my childhood friends and I often chuckle about my dad’s famous saying, “it is what it is”. Now though, we understand the priceless wisdom contained in those simple words. Wallowing in self-pity is a futile exercise . The feeling isn’t wrong, feelings are just that… how we feel. We do, however, have the choice to rise again and keep going in spite of our challenges
• Our identity is not what we do, but who God says we are. How often do we lament over perceived failures in our lives? In our roles as mothers, wives, teachers, writers, etc. We forget to ask ourselves, “says who”?  The Bible tells us that we are special, created for the story we are living, important to God’s plan. In fact, the Word tells us we are enough, because of Jesus. All the other roles we play are secondary to being daughters of the King. What if we dwelled on that instead?
• Faith that things will get better takes hard work, but in time we’ll have a rich story to tell of a story redeemed. Don’t beat yourself up if you struggle to believe things will be restored. That our troubles are not forever. So what if you have to be reminded again and again? The greatest teachers in history demonstrate that faith can be painful to hold on to. Questioning isn’t bad- in fact, it can be a powerful tool to really see the answers clearly as our story changes. Those struggles to believe turn into beautifully penned testimonies because we paid attention
• We are meant to be there for each other, and that means letting the walls come down and asking for help. Oh friends, this is a hard one, isn’t it? We tend to think we have no walls, yet politely decline any offers of assistance. Often, this isn’t purposeful, we are just blinded to our habits of not wanted to burden anyone. Puh-lease, can we move past this together? We all want to help each other, and it is a gift to the ones watching our hurts to be able to come along. They benefit too, let’s not cheat them or ourselves
• Don’t own what isn’t yours to carry. What is our God-given responsibility in a situation…anything else, take it to God in prayer
• There is always something to be thankful for . I believe the world if FULL of good and beauty, and cultivating gratitude is a strong reminder that we have much to celebrate. Consider Ann Voskamp’s book One Thousand Gifts , where she teaches us to keep a list where we record even the smallest gifts. What a simple and mighty weapon against disappointment! “Reflect upon your present blessings — of which every man has many — not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some. ” ―  Charles Dickens
• Hard things are important to go through . We don’t become stronger without trials testing us and forcing us to flex our trust muscles . The things that are challenging have their own merit, and that is important
• People might let us down. But they don’t have the power to crush us. There are those who cause only pain…yet, what they meant for evil God can turn for good. We can choose to not let people have that kind of power over us and release them from our journey. Other people’s baggage no longer needs to direct our actions. We are free…which leads me to my next lesson learned…
• Boundaries are healthy. If you struggle to maintain them, invest in their development. Don’t feel guilty about setting them!
• Nothing is our control. Planning is wise, but the outcome isn’t always within our grasp. Hold on loosely, flexibility is a powerful tool
• Tomorrow is a new day. The sun always rises again and the clouds will part. I remember a song from many years ago that went something like “he gives beauty for ashes, strength for fears…gladness for mourning, peace for despair”. It is true my friends, don’t give up

What can you learn from life experiences?

You have known countless experiences over the past year- great joys and internal conflict. They both have value when we mine for the lessons in our extraordinary, wild ride of a life.

In the mundane, we find stunning beauty when we stop to inspect closely .

In the heartache, we see that struggle offers us a training ground that leaves us with a greater strength to get back up.

It is important to mine our moments and decide what to take with us as we say consider our days.

This year has been intense in our home.

Suffice it to say, I have struggled, just like you I imagine, to learn these lessons and to keep pressing on. My writing has suffered, my art has been neglected , and few goals have been met.

In spite of those things, our story is shifting again. The year is ending with a fresh page and a new story to be written. Beauty for ashes.

Reflecting has gives us something powerful…the understanding that seasons come and go, but with the help of our friends, we come out stronger on the other side.

Thank you for sticking by me this year, and in the new year, I have some AWESOME fresh things in the background. Dreams that are patiently waiting for their turn to become.

You are amazing, has anyone told you that lately? You are. I promise. Rest in being God’s daughter today. You are enough, right now. And so, so loved.

Resources you might enjoy:

• Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives   SO good
• Destination Simple: Everyday Rituals for a Slower Life
• Seeking Slow: Reclaim Moments of Calm in Your Day
• *Disclosure: I only recommend products I do/would use myself. This post may contain affiliate links that at NO additional cost to you, may earn me a small commission to help support this blog. Read full privacy policy here.

Related Posts:

Similar Posts

Choose gratitude in your attitude to find more contentment

Learning to see the bigger picture

Favorite Bible verses for home-makers and a simple prayer

Progress not perfection- our lives are a Tapestry of Grace

Is church boring? Ideas on building a vibrant faith

Don’t compare yourself to others, it isn’t reality

Wonderful encouragement Christa! #5 & 7 especially spoke to me. And I loved the quote by Dickens. 💜💜 gail

Gail, thank you so much for sharing the specific ones that gave you food for thought! It makes my day to know that I could be an encouragement through the words God gave me to speak!

Hi Christa, thank you very much for sharing your experiences. Although I’m a brother instead of a sister I found a lot of recognition in all 12. I just stumbled upon your website looking for something completely different, but find great peace and selfesteem in realizing that these experiences are all spot on for what I’m doing and learning in life right now. Almost 16 moths ago I threw away my big furry coat of denial and reached out for help against my addiction. The three words that came into my life were Gratitute, Balance and HOW (Honesty, Openness and Willingness). Now I start experiencing my thinking and feeling coming out of the swamp and seeing all your 12 experiences in my daily recovery gives me strenght and faith. #1 still feels like the hardest nut to crack, but thank you for your way of (re)framing it.

Gratefully yours, Martijn

Hello Martjin! What a delight for you to share a bit of your story for me. May God RICHLY bless you in your journey ♥ Blessings, CHrista

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Waitlisted? No Brags. No Updates. Learn About Ivy Coach's Letter of Continued Interest

The Ivy Coach Daily

• College Admissions
• College Essays
• Early Decision / Early Action
• Extracurricular Activities
• Standardized Testing
• The Rankings

October 21, 2016

Life Lessons in College Essays

It’s important to have a life lesson in college essays, right? A great Personal Statement wouldn’t be compelling if it didn’t wrap up with a story about a life lesson learned, right? Maybe it’s about understanding the value of hard work. Maybe it’s about understanding the importance of perseverance and overcoming adversity in pursuit of your goals. Maybe it’s about realizing that all people are, in many ways, more alike than different. These are the kinds of life lessons that make for compelling storytelling not only in the Common Application’s Personal Statement but in the unique supplemental essays for the schools to which students apply, right?

One of these things doesn’t belong in college essays: a life lesson, great storytelling, and colloquial writing. Which one is it, you ask?

No, not right. But the regular readers of our college admissions blog know that the entire introductory paragraph above was one big setup. Life lessons have no place in college admissions essays to highly selective schools. Life lessons are cliche. You pulled your hamstring but nursed your way back from injury to compete in the 100 meter dash again? You may not have won but you tried your best? Cliche. You realized that the folks in Soweto, South Africa are just the same as you and your neighbors in Greenwich, Connecticut? Cliche. You learn about the importance of love and family from your wise grandfather? Cliche.

Life lessons have no place in college essays. Let’s say it again. Life lessons have no place in college essays. When admissions officers are reading hundreds upon hundreds of essays, how many come-from-behind races can they possibly enjoy? The answer is zero. “Full House” was a terrific television show on ABC. And its sequel “Fuller House” is a nice followup on Netflix. For those not familiar with “Full House,” Danny, Jesse, and Joey often imparted life lessons on D.J., Stephanie, Michelle at the end of each episode. But college admissions essays are not episodes of “Full House.” So leave the life lesson out and don’t think twice about it.

You are permitted to use www.ivycoach.com (including the content of the Blog) for your personal, non-commercial use only. You must not copy, download, print, or otherwise distribute the content on our site without the prior written consent of Ivy Coach, Inc.

Related Articles

Using A.I. to Write College Admission Essays

October 13, 2023

Word and Character Limits in College Essays

September 27, 2023

What English Teachers Get Wrong About Writing College Essays

Bragging in College Essays: Is It Ever Okay?

September 26, 2023

What Not to Write: 3 College Essay Topics to Avoid

September 24, 2023

2023-2024 Caltech Supplemental Essay Prompts

September 14, 2023

TOWARD THE CONQUEST OF ADMISSION

If you’re interested in Ivy Coach’s college counseling,
fill out our complimentary consultation form and we’ll be in touch.

Fill out our short form for a 20-minute consultation to learn about Ivy Coach’s services.

• Free Samples
• Premium Essays
• Editing Services Editing Proofreading Rewriting
• Extra Tools Essay Topic Generator Thesis Generator Citation Generator GPA Calculator Study Guides Donate Paper
• Essay Writing Help
• About Us About Us Testimonials FAQ
• Studentshare
• Creative Writing
• An Experience that Taught a Valuable Lesson about Life

An Experience that Taught a Valuable Lesson about Life - Essay Example

• Subject: Creative Writing
• Type: Essay
• Level: College
• Pages: 3 (750 words)
• Downloads: 297
• Author: gloverjosefa

Extract of sample "An Experience that Taught a Valuable Lesson about Life"

Being the only child to a single parent can come along with challenges to both the parent and the child. We moved to the states when I was only two years old and this meant that my mother who is a single parent had to work day and night to make ends meet. I was always left at home alone or with a baby sitter who in most cases would disappear the moment my mother leaves the house for work. Television became my company whenever my mother was not around for the next one and a half years. Although situations normally force parents to leave their children most of the time by themselves, I must admit that such children do develop weird characters that may affect their entire lives.

The turning point in my life was when I was enrolled in elementary school. Elementary school was an impressionable time in my life and I believe everyone who passed through the elementary school shares the same sentiment. In school, it was a very new environment with fellow children and loving teachers, life had just begun for me. I had to coexist with children from different backgrounds and the teachers as well. One of the greatest life lessons I learned at the elementary school was how to respect others.

I remember my teacher used to punish any child who offended their peers or any other misconduct towards your fellow classmates. Respect was paramount in my class and every child had to respect others regardless of race or any other social aspect. The respect I have for people from various backgrounds can be attributed to the life-changing experience I had at the elementary school.At the elementary school, I learned that we dwell in a mixed society where there exists social hierarchy and that we are different yet all-important.

As compared to the home where most of the time I used to be alone, in school we had black children, white children, Asians, and Latinos. As I progressed, I came to learn that people were varied even in character, there were some who were talkative, some quite, some playful other not and some outstanding in various activities held at school. For instance, those who were good in games were made captains in the various sports activities among others. Outstanding children were awarded or made school kings and queens and even in college and life outside, I find that there is a social hierarchy.

There are college leaders, beauty kings, and queens and even at the workplace, you will always find there is a boss under every department.Decision-making and independence are some important aspects of the lives of human beings. Knowing what to do under different circumstances is important for an individual to be successful in life. The process of decision making at times may be challenging depending on the matter at hand, but a good decision maker always carries the day. As I progressed, there was a need to cope with pressure from fellow children and even teachers in some instances.

At times, it used to be survival for the tough, if, by any chance you showed a sign of weakness, other students would take advantage and bully you making life miserable at school. This was a time to show the ability to stand strong and resist bullying. The fact that school was a mixed society, there were children with weird characters or bad habits that could easily influence others. Decision-making skills were sharpened in elementary school where you had to stand for the right thing despite the peer pressure.

I find independence and decision making lessons I got back in those years still useful and I believe they are virtues that will continue to have a positive impact on my life.A good decision-maker is one who pays attention to others and it is a fact that there are people who have been dismissed by their employers for failure to follow instructions. Paying attention is as well important even in studies for an individual to understand a subject and excel. When I first joined the elementary school, I remember having a very short attention span.

Whenever the teacher started teaching one would get to destruct, which always earned a form of punishment from the teacher. At school, there was time for everything it was not played all the time, the tight teaching schedules, other activities were mandatory, and all children had to go through the same. With time, I developed an interest and could pay attention to the teachers and even instructions at home, this made me excel in high school and get to college. Although being in elementary schools are usually trying times for most children, it changed and shaped my life.

• Cited: 0 times
• Copy Citation Citation is copied Copy Citation Citation is copied Copy Citation Citation is copied

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF An Experience that Taught a Valuable Lesson about Life

Creating a numeric environment for effective learning for children, life experience that influenced my self-esteemation, perspectives on changes in adulthood, teaching package on the topic for second grade students, kids experience and opinion as a vendor, a memorable night in my whole life, desires, perception and how to put them to action, summer vacation and lesson learned.

• TERMS & CONDITIONS
• PRIVACY POLICY
• COOKIES POLICY

Home — Essay Samples — Psychology — Adolescence — Personal Narrative Essay: My Experience In My Life

Personal Narrative Essay: My Experience in My Life

• Categories: Adolescence

About this sample

Words: 620 |

Published: Mar 13, 2024

Words: 620 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

Table of contents

Early childhood, adolescence, young adulthood.

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Dr Jacklynne

Verified writer

• Expert in: Psychology

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

5 pages / 2287 words

3 pages / 1453 words

3 pages / 1261 words

3 pages / 1184 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Adolescence

Rothon, C., Head, J., Kleinberg, E., Stansfeld, S. (2011). Can social support protect bullied adolescents from adverse outcomes? A prospective study on the effects of bullying on the educational achievement and mental health of [...]

The bond between Ponyboy Curtis and Johnny Cade in the novel The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton is one of the central themes of the story. This essay aims to explore the friendship between Ponyboy and Johnny, examining its development [...]

The question of when an individual truly becomes an adult is a topic of ongoing debate and contemplation. This essay delves into the complex and multifaceted nature of adulthood, exploring the various factors that contribute to [...]

Adolescence is a period of significant change and growth in a person's life. It is a time marked by physical, emotional, and cognitive development, as well as social and identity exploration. As I reflect on the stages of my own [...]

Heraclitus, a pre-Socratic Greek philosopher once stated that “Change is the only constant thing in this world” and I believe it. I believe that change is the only permanent thing in this world. If you would ask me how can I say [...]

There is a reason that psychology is a necessary class to meet the requirements of nearly every college major. Understanding people, how they grow and develop, how they learn, and how they are influenced are all very important [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

I lost my home to the 1974 tornado but it gained a new perspective on life

When I was in 8th grade, and my sister Valerie was a junior at Ballard High School. We arrived home about an hour prior to the 1974 tornado hitting our home.

The birds stopped chirping and our family dog uncharacteristically didn't want to go out in the yard. Our dad called home and warned of the news of storm damage in Brandenburg, it was heading our way. We saw a huge oak tree in our yard flapping in the wind like a twig .

With Dick Gilbert on a radio, we hurried to the basement just in time to feel a dramatic change in air pressure followed a loud sound like a freight train and airborne debris smashing into basement windows. The violent shaking of our house made us fear for our lives until suddenly it ended.

Upon reaching the basement stairs we could see the sky and our house no longer existed.

Upon climbing out we heard alarming sounds of gas lines hissing and electric lines popping. Gradually we spotted neighbors, hugged in relief and feared the fate of others. The sights were surreal—imagine London during an air raid.

We met many neighbors gathered at a neighbor's home away from the hardest hit area. Eventually, our parents arrived from their workplaces downtown. Their tears were not for what they lost, but tears of joy for the fact we were alive and unharmed.

That evening our family returned to the obliterated home site and we started retrieving valuables and beginning the process of getting back up after getting knocked down. Later that night, we regrouped in a neighbor's home and while we were fed sandwiches we could hear our dad on the Milton Metz WHAS call-in show. Instead of telling about what was lost, he told the radio audience that at Kentucky Towers, he managed apartments and that any vacancy was available free of charge to those who were suffering.

Even though the tornado was a terrifying experience, it has been an incredible life experience—giving great perspective on what is truly important, and a reminder to use life's experiences to make you stronger.

— Jeffrey A Underhill, 40206