I opened my final sophomore report card and felt sick. My grades, especially in Honors Pre-Calculus, had dropped. Although, I had tried, I still finished the school year with less than stellar grades. This lack of success left me feeling frustrated, demoralized and exhausted.

The summer before sophomore year had brought many changes. My dad returned from a deployment in Afghanistan and then was reassigned from Keesler Air Force Base to the Pentagon. So, my family and I moved from Ocean Springs, Mississippi to Northern Virginia. Enrolling in my new (and larger) school, I chose a challenging schedule. Trying to find my niche, I became involved in several time-consuming extra-curricular activities: marching band, Model UN, It’s Academic and the school play A League of Their Own. Over the course of sophomore year, I felt more and more overwhelmed and isolated. This resulted in a math grade I never thought I’d see associated with my name: D.

My second summer in Virginia began, and I really wanted to feel better about living here. I thought a lot about how to make this happen. Finally, I asked my parents to make an appointment for me to see a counselor—not a school (academic) counselor, but the kind you find at hospitals and clinics. It was hard, even embarrassing, talking to a stranger about my feelings, but it really helped a lot. I quickly realized I was not the only kid who’d ever had trouble adjusting to a new school or balancing a hectic schedule. My counselor taught me techniques for dealing with stress and anxiety, which I can use for the rest of my life. With each appointment that summer, I felt my “load” lightening.

Junior year started, and I was determined to have a different outlook than I had the previous year. I still enrolled in challenging classes, and I continued to be involved in extra-curricular activities. I even worked part-time at my local Safeway grocery store. But I chose to be in control of my academic and social life. My grades greatly improved, and I felt more confident in and out of school. This sense of accomplishment and ability continues as I work towards graduation.

Sophomore year was disappointing and demoralizing, but the experience taught me an important life lesson: In life, there will be successes as well as failures. I now realize the importance of keeping a positive attitude and dealing with issues (like upcoming assignments, etc.) in a productive manner. Staying organized is an important technique to avoid becoming overwhelmed. I also learned (from my Safeway co-workers, a few of whom quit college or high school and now have to work two jobs) to keep trying even if a class or project gets tough. In short, overcoming obstacles is about trying, trying harder, learning from past mistakes (and others’ mistakes), getting help when you need it, and not defining yourself by shortcomings and disappointments.

Quentin Paleo is a freshman at the College of Willliam and Mary, and this essay was submitted as his common app.