close
one pixel image

The Difference Between Throats and Toes: College Admission Essay Sample

About this sample

About this sample

close

Words: 603 |

Pages: 2|

4 min read

Published: Jul 18, 2018

Words: 603|Pages: 2|4 min read

Published: Jul 18, 2018

The wind whipped across my face, grabbing the hair I had attempted to coax into a ponytail, pushing it into my mouth, and tangling it around my neck. Water splashed with unrelenting ferocity off the blade spinning desperately in my hands. My muscles ached with a vengeance and my throat stung from the harsh intake of breath, but I ignored my discomfort. I wanted this race more than anything.

'Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned'?

For the past three years, my favorite part of the day has been settling into my kayak seat, slipping my feet beneath the foot strap and on either side of the tiller bar, and sinking my blade into the murky, pollen-filled lake that was my training arena. School day afternoons consisted of lifting weights in my high school weight room, surrounded only by testosterone-fueled young men, and then spending two hours on the water. Because I fell in love with a unique water sport in ice-infested Minnesota, most of my training has been done on my own and thus required a large amount of willpower, extensive cross-training, and a working stop watch. Each spring, summer, and fall, I spent hundreds of hours working with my amazingly supportive coach to condition my mind and body in hopes of achieving my dream. I yearned to compete at the Junior World Sprint Kayak Championships in Welland, Ontario.

My only chance was to race at trials in April and make the team. April is a fine month for states on the coast that have open water and cooperating weather. Minnesota, however, was not bothered by my dream. Lakes remained stubbornly frozen, despite my daily efforts to warm them with my gaze. With trials swiftly approaching, I had been on the water a total of five hours in the preceding seven months. While I knew I would be at a disadvantage, I refused to let the things I could not control nibble away at my confidence—if my hairdryer blowing full blast would not melt the ice, there was nothing else I could do. All of this preparation and anticipation, doubt and fear, worry and hope, would culminate in the millisecond the bow of my boat touched the finish line.

I did not need to turn my head to see who finished first, but I turned it nonetheless. I did not want to believe the emptiness gathering in my stomach. I did not want to see the three boats sweep across the line ahead of me. But that is what I saw, and the reality of failure was numbing.

The numbers smirked and taunted from their place on the time sheet so hastily slapped on the wall with a jagged piece of scotch tape. I struggled to control the corners of my mouth and keep the feeling of childish disappointment from showing on my face. The most difficult part though, was acting kindly towards the girls who did make the team. Although I had missed a goal, I knew that good sportsmanship was more important than floundering in sobbing waves of self-pity.

Get a custom paper now from our expert writers.

Until then, I had never had to face real failure. Failure on a vocab quiz or in a soccer match, yes. But failure of a dream is an uppercut to the throat compared to those toe-stubs. It knocked me breathless with its harshness. But I refused to crawl under a rug and collect dust while lamenting what could have been. Instead, I found the strength to congratulate those girls sincerely on winning the spot I had so badly craved. I worked hard, and got my spot back one year later.

Cite this Essay

The Difference Between Throats and Toes: College Admission Essay Sample. (, ). GradesFixer. Retrieved March 28, 2024, from https://gradesfixer.com/free-admission-essays/the-difference-between-throats-and-toes-college-admission-essay-sample/
“The Difference Between Throats and Toes: College Admission Essay Sample.” GradesFixer, , gradesfixer.com/free-admission-essays/the-difference-between-throats-and-toes-college-admission-essay-sample/
The Difference Between Throats and Toes: College Admission Essay Sample. [online]. Available at: <https://gradesfixer.com/free-admission-essays/the-difference-between-throats-and-toes-college-admission-essay-sample/> [Accessed 28 Mar. 2024].
The Difference Between Throats and Toes: College Admission Essay Sample [Internet]. GradesFixer. [cited 2024 Mar 28]. Available from: https://gradesfixer.com/free-admission-essays/the-difference-between-throats-and-toes-college-admission-essay-sample/
copy
Keep in mind: This sample was shared by another student.
  • 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
  • Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours
Write my essay
boy

Hi there!

Are you interested in getting a customized paper?

Check it out!

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

close

Where do you want us to send this sample?

    By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

    close

    Be careful. This essay is not unique

    This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

    Download this Sample

    Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

    close

    Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

    close

    Thanks!

    Please check your inbox.

    We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

    exit-popup-close
    We can help you get a better grade and deliver your task on time!
    • Instructions Followed To The Letter
    • Deadlines Met At Every Stage
    • Unique And Plagiarism Free
    Order your paper now