Overcoming Academic Challenges: A Journey of Triumph and Resilience

Academic success is not merely a measure of intelligence or innate talent; it is a reflection of the multitude of challenges one must face and overcome. Today, I will delve into the reasons behind my poor academic performance, how these issues affected my studies, and the steps I took to resolve them.

My Past Trauma and Academic Struggles

For many years, I found myself entangled in a toxic and damaging relationship, an experience that left me unable to focus on my studies. The constant anxiety and overthinking that stemmed from this period significantly impacted my academic performance, leaving me to overanalyze and question my abilities.

Undiagnosed Vision Problems and Dyslexia

During my early years, I faced a series of educational challenges, starting with undiagnosed vision problems. At the age of six or seven in 1968, my teacher noted that it took me half an hour to write a single sentence off the blackboard, and I squinted constantly. This situation was a wake-up call for my parents, who finally took me to an eye doctor. Getting glasses marked the beginning of an improvement in my academic performance, but it was a modest one. Dyslexia, another significant factor, made learning Hebrew especially difficult, as the concepts seemed unclear and the words seemed to float around me.

The Beginning of a Struggle: Early School Years

Even though I needed glasses, the progress was not enough to overcome my dyslexia. I was placed in the slow readers' class and struggled to understand tasks like summarizing text. I remember my teacher saying, “write down the important points,” but my literal thinking made it difficult to discern which parts of the text were essential. As a result, I often rewrote the entire chapter instead of summarizing it, which frustrated my teachers. Over time, I developed a reputation as a class clown, which provided a sense of belonging and a way to avoid ridicule.

High School and Beyond: A Battle for Attention

High school was no better. My parents' expectations shifted to me completing my studies and finding a husband, which did little to motivate me. However, in my senior year, my academic performance began to change. My English teacher noticed my essays and declared them the finest she had read. Later, a Hebrew teacher asked why I seemed bored, and I admitted that she spoke too fast for me to follow. This prompted a conversation with my assistant principal, who realized I was struggling. The assistant principal gave me a significant boost of confidence by recognizing my genuine interest in class and suggesting a deal to improve my grades.

With her support, I agreed to work harder and passed my SAT exams by a narrow margin. I then worked diligently to pass the required college classes, earning a solid wall of As and Bs, except for a D in biology which I was forced to take due to a miscommunication. The academic advisor’s advice was often wrong, but I learned to navigate these challenges.

Literacy Journey and Academic Advisors

Despite my dyslexia, I continued to face challenges with misspellings and sentence structures. It was not until my Yiddish professor, Dr. Wiz, called me into his office that my true struggles with dyslexia were realized. Dr. Wiz, amazed by my erroneous performance, asked if I was in class to catch a husband, to which I replied no. He then asked about my Hebrew grades, which were terrible, and I explained that I understood spoken Hebrew but could not read or write it. Dr. Wiz revealed that I was dyslexic, to which I broke into tears because it finally made sense. He explained that for too long, children with dyslexia were labeled as brain-damaged and sent to special schools, but with his support, I finally learned that my struggles were not a sign of stupidity.

Through the guidance of Mrs. H and Dr. Wiz, I turned my life around and achieved academic success. Both educators were instrumental in my journey, helping me to understand that I had value and worked tirelessly to help me. Their support was a beacon of hope and a testament to their impact on my life.

Conclusion

The journey to academic success is not always a straightforward one. It requires facing challenges, seeking support, and sometimes learning to navigate the system to our advantage. By understanding and addressing my individual needs, I was able to overcome my past traumas and academic obstacles. My experiences serve as a reminder that with the right support and guidance, anyone can achieve their academic goals, no matter their past struggles.