A Reflection on Perseverance by Sports Captain, Daisy

Persevering through something is never easy. By definition, perseverance is persistence in doing something despite the difficulty. It is for this reason that I think perseverance is one of the most valuable skills, especially in the challenging times of today.

Perseverance Develops with Age

Over the many years that I have played sports, I have found that my perseverance has developed with age. Unsurprisingly, when I was younger and more stubborn, I often wouldn’t do something if I didn’t want to, especially if I found it hard. This was commonly observed at my Friday swimming sessions when my coach would announce that we would finish the night with a set of sprints. I would be tired, hungry and therefore, I would half-heartedly sprint, knowing I could go faster if I wanted to, but that required too much effort. On reflection, I realise that my mentality was much simpler, and I could not grasp the concept of persevering; why keep going if it’s hard and there is no tangible reward?

Now that I’m about to start my final year of school, my ability to persevere has improved greatly.  Whether I am at early morning fitness or a late-night lax session, the same predicament still runs through my head. The temptation to stop and rest is so powerful, but I never give up like I used to. The difference is, I have developed the mental toughness required to persevere and push through the tiredness I am feeling. I can now understand that even if the reward is not always present immediately, the hard work will pay off in the long run.

Perseverance Gained Through New Routines and Remote Learning

These past 7 weeks have really tested me, particularly my perseverance. Developing new routines and starting remote learning has been very demanding, and I know that I am not alone in this feeling. We may not realise it, but each day that the school community and I wrestle with the WiFi router, adapt to looking at a screen all day, and try not to argue with our family, we are persevering. It is through this perseverance that we will eventually come out of lockdown and return to normal life, having acquired new skills and making bonds with our families, and having the brilliant feeling of knowing that we kept going even when it felt so tough. That feeling of self-pride is the reward in itself. If only someone told my primary school self that.

Daisy, LVI
2020-2021 Sports Captain