To fail does not mean to fall.

Someone once said, 'The way a person handles disappointment reveals a great deal about what is important in his life.'

Grief, sadness, disappointment and regret - we are all familiar with these emotions. Often, we feel them all together, and it is rare that one does not accompany the other. Even though it might feel like all the weight of the world is on your shoulders, one cannot simply accept defeat and let the uncomfortable feeling of disappointment hold them back. No matter how many tears you shed, it is inevitable that one day you will have to wake up and make peace with the world, for a rainbow never appears had there not been rain before.

Ever since I was young, it had been my greatest dream to attend Harvard, 'the best university', as it was called by my mother. All my life I had worked hard and maintained my grades, so that one day I could get into my dream university. All my friends and acquaintances were confident that I would be able to get into Harvard; after all, I had only ever passed with flying colours all my life.

However, my whole world fell apart when I got my rejection letter from my dream university. Everyone, including me, had gotten their hopes up so high that it was a long way down.

I caved into myself, not understanding where I had fallen short, despite having given my best. Nothing was able to revive me, not even getting into Yale, a 'second best' university as I...

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