Stephanie Lou Hinze

Growing up I was a strong achiever in a relatively small high school. Needless to say, I was involved in practically everything from cheerleading, band, FFA, student council, and much more. I graduated top of my class, was voted class favorite, and had the upmost respect from the small Orange Grove community. My roots were also very deep here, as the past five generations of both my mother and father’s families had lived in this town. Therefore, I was clearly “well-established” here, as everyone new who I was. I primarily succeeded at everything I tried, and never faced rejection or failure.

 

This “popular and perfect” perception I had of myself changed once I started school at Texas A&M. Within the first few weeks of school I applied to ta freshman leadership organization called PREP and was accepted. I knew the process was competitive so it was reassuring knowing that the executives saw enough potential in me to select me as a member of this prestigious organization. However, the rejection set in second semester. I applied to be a peer leader for the FBI program and was not selected. I then applied to a women’s organization and PREP executive, and was rejected from both. I also applied to be a fish camp counselor, and was rather optimistic about getting chosen since practically everyone does it; however to my surprise, I was not picked! Being rejected from Fish Camp really upset me because I was the ONLY one out of my friends not chosen. Shame, embarrassment, disappointment, and failure is what I thought I was. In this eight week time-span, I had been rejected more than in my entire 18 years of existence. I thought I lost my interviewing touch since I was rejected AFTER the interview in every situation. However, I eventually got over the rejection and enjoyed my first summer after college. When fall semester of my sophomore year began, I applied to the Business Student Council, another women’s organization, and yet again was rejected from both. At this point, I broke down and cried because I felt I wasn’t good enough for anything.

 

However after shedding a few tears and feeling sorry for myself, I realized that I needed to get past my negative thoughts and let my optimistic personality shine through. Just because I was rejected didn’t necessarily mean I failed. These situations would only be deemed a failure if I let them, and I was not about to do that. I started viewing everything as a learning experience, such as an opportunity to practice my interviewing skills.

 

Since this redefining moment, I’ve learned to reflect on such experiences, evaluate what I learned, but then move on and focus my energy on the positive aspects in my life. I strongly feel I was rejected from those organizations because I was destined to embark on a better opportunity. Learning to cope with rejection was a humbling experience I needed as it reminded me I am not perfect; there are and will always be other people more qualified for jobs or positions than I am, and that is perfectly okay. Everything happens for a reason, and I will continue to practice this value throughout my life and remain positive in the “duller” moments life offers.