As an international student from Thailand, I always prided myself on being proficient in English. I had studied it in school for many years, and I thought I had a good grasp of the language. However, when I came to the United States to attend college, I quickly realized that I was not as proficient as I had thought.
It was a humbling experience for me to admit that my English skills were not as good as I had believed. In fact, it was difficult for me to even admit it to myself. I had always been praised for my English skills by my teachers and peers, and I had even won some awards for my proficiency. However, when I started attending college classes in the US, I found that I was struggling to keep up with the pace of the lectures and the assignments.
At first, I thought it was just a matter of adjusting to a new educational system and a new language environment. However, as the weeks went by, I realized that I was still struggling to understand what was being said in class and to write essays that met the expectations of my professors. I began to question whether I was really as good in English as I had always thought.
It was a hard truth to face, but I finally decided to address my weakness head-on. I sought out tutoring services and worked with a tutor to improve my language skills. Together, we identified some areas in which I needed improvement, such as my writing style and my understanding of complex sentence structures. My tutor helped me to develop strategies for improving these areas, and I began to see some progress.
Even so, it was still difficult for me to admit that I needed help. I didn’t want to be seen as less intelligent or less capable than my peers, and I didn’t want to let down the expectations that had been placed on me. However, as I worked with my tutor and saw some improvement, I began to realize that admitting my weakness was actually a sign of strength.
By acknowledging my weakness and seeking help, I was demonstrating a willingness to learn and to grow. I was admitting that I didn’t know everything and that I was open to learning from others. This realization helped me to embrace the tutoring process and to use it as an opportunity for personal growth.
As a result of my experience, I became more open to accepting feedback from my professors and peers. I no longer saw criticism as a personal attack, but rather as an opportunity to learn and improve. This mindset shift not only helped me in my English classes, but also in other areas of my academic and personal life.
Overall, admitting that I was not as proficient in English as I had thought was a difficult but ultimately valuable experience. It taught me the importance of humility, openness to learning, and growth mindset. I hope that by sharing my story, others who may be struggling with similar challenges can find the strength to seek help and grow from their weaknesses.
