Memoir Collection

I used to think studying was just a chore. My parents, both exceptionally successful in math and science, constantly emphasized the importance of studying. When I was living in Turkiye, it was normal to spend six hours on homework each day. By the time I reached grade 4, I felt suffocated by all the homework and knowledge that was being poured at me. So, I decided to take a lengthy break from formal studying. That pause stretched on until grade 9. During that break, I was free from the weight of constant academics, yet I gradually noticed something: the world was moving faster than I imagined. When I attended a contest prep program at UofT for grades 9–10, the questions felt foreign. At the program, quadratic equations at first seemed manageable, but soon they escalated into derivatives. I was hopelessly lost. However, instead of feeling disheartened, I actually used that to motivate myself. I began studying the week after that program. I restarted from the very basics, revisiting quadratic equations, then advancing to functions, and finally doing advanced functions.

Studying ahead allowed me to learn at my own pace. This journey transformed my perception of studying entirely. What once felt like a chore became a pursuit of personal growth. I also learned that stepping away sometimes helps you see what truly matters, and that resilience, persistence, and self-directed learning can turn struggle into empowerment.