Yesterday I took the GMAT, and I did not do as well as I had hoped. As I worked through the day and felt great disappointment I saw the Ensign sitting on the desk by me. It was opened to a page with a quote from Marvin J. Ashton. He said, "Good cheer is a state of mind or mood that promotes happiness or joy...With God's help, good cheer permits us to rise above the depressing present or difficult circumstances. It is a process of positive reassurance and reinforcement. It is sunshine when clouds block the light."
Considering my state of mind yesterday, that quote meant a lot to me. I was able to work through my disappointment and see the sunshine through the clouds. I also realized a few things about this particular situation that I had not considered before.
The recruiter at BYU said that most people spend 4 months studying for the GMAT. I only spent 1 month and I fire-hosed myself with information to the point of physical and mental exhaustion. Needless to say, I also suffered socially and felt very isolated because I felt pressure to study, rather than to enjoy time with friends or family once in a while. I did not have enough time to do very many practice tests, and therefore I was not as confident with my pacing on the test as I should have been. I also realized, after I added up the years, that I have been graduated from college for almost 15 years! I should have probably eased more slowly back into the full-time student mode and not been so demanding with myself.
With all of that said, it is definitely not an excuse. I am still forging ahead, with a spirit of optimism in my heart. I now have about 12 weeks before the May 1 deadline to study and prepare more fully for the test. I have mapped out my study strategy, and I will also be allowing myself time to play and relax so that I have a better balance in my life over the next 3 months.
I know that all experiences are for my good, even when the outcome is not what I would have hoped for. It's through my weaknesses and trials that I can be made strong, with the help of the Lord.
1 comment:
sonya you are amazing and such a good example. I wish I was more like you!
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