• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EST 10:21
CET 16:21
KST 00:21
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
TL.net Map Contest #21: Winners10Intel X Team Liquid Seoul event: Showmatches and Meet the Pros10[ASL20] Finals Preview: Arrival13TL.net Map Contest #21: Voting12[ASL20] Ro4 Preview: Descent11
Community News
StarCraft, SC2, HotS, WC3, Returning to Blizzcon!44$5,000+ WardiTV 2025 Championship7[BSL21] RO32 Group Stage4Weekly Cups (Oct 26-Nov 2): Liquid, Clem, Solar win; LAN in Philly2Weekly Cups (Oct 20-26): MaxPax, Clem, Creator win10
StarCraft 2
General
Mech is the composition that needs teleportation t StarCraft, SC2, HotS, WC3, Returning to Blizzcon! RotterdaM "Serral is the GOAT, and it's not close" TL.net Map Contest #21: Winners Weekly Cups (Oct 20-26): MaxPax, Clem, Creator win
Tourneys
Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament Constellation Cup - Main Event - Stellar Fest $5,000+ WardiTV 2025 Championship Merivale 8 Open - LAN - Stellar Fest Sea Duckling Open (Global, Bronze-Diamond)
Strategy
Custom Maps
Map Editor closed ?
External Content
Mutation # 498 Wheel of Misfortune|Cradle of Death Mutation # 497 Battle Haredened Mutation # 496 Endless Infection Mutation # 495 Rest In Peace
Brood War
General
FlaSh on: Biggest Problem With SnOw's Playstyle BW General Discussion BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ Where's CardinalAllin/Jukado the mapmaker? [ASL20] Ask the mapmakers — Drop your questions
Tourneys
[ASL20] Grand Finals [BSL21] RO32 Group A - Saturday 21:00 CET [Megathread] Daily Proleagues [BSL21] RO32 Group B - Sunday 21:00 CET
Strategy
Current Meta PvZ map balance How to stay on top of macro? Soma's 9 hatch build from ASL Game 2
Other Games
General Games
Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Nintendo Switch Thread Path of Exile Should offensive tower rushing be viable in RTS games? Dawn of War IV
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Community Thread SPIRED by.ASL Mafia {211640}
Community
General
The Games Industry And ATVI US Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine YouTube Thread
Fan Clubs
White-Ra Fan Club The herO Fan Club!
Media & Entertainment
[Manga] One Piece Anime Discussion Thread Movie Discussion! Korean Music Discussion Series you have seen recently...
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread Formula 1 Discussion NBA General Discussion MLB/Baseball 2023 TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
SC2 Client Relocalization [Change SC2 Language] Linksys AE2500 USB WIFI keeps disconnecting Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
The Automated Ban List Recent Gifted Posts
Blogs
Learning my new SC2 hotkey…
Hildegard
Coffee x Performance in Espo…
TrAiDoS
Saturation point
Uldridge
DnB/metal remix FFO Mick Go…
ImbaTosS
Reality "theory" prov…
perfectspheres
Our Last Hope in th…
KrillinFromwales
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 1280 users

Failure

Blogs > fatfail
Post a Reply
fatfail
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
United States386 Posts
March 31 2012 05:52 GMT
#1
I'm currently in high school. My grades are quite mediocre, and I'm quite bad at all my extracurricular activities. I often see my peers excelling in academics, sports, music, etc while I remain lousy. I then tell myself I need to work harder, but even when I do, I remain shitty. I'm just not good at anything. What a depressing situation, I most likely won't go to any decent college. Do any of you guys also often feel like an underachiever under self scrutiny?

*
Kong fan... <3 Stork <3 Jangbi <3 Yellow <3 Fantasy
Bibbit
Profile Blog Joined December 2009
Canada5377 Posts
March 31 2012 05:53 GMT
#2
Hey, fatfail, maybe it's a confidence issue.
DarkPlasmaBall
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
United States45018 Posts
March 31 2012 05:55 GMT
#3
You should probably start by getting a more badass Team Liquid screen name That'll boost your confidence

But seriously, there are surely a few things you're decent (or even excel) at. Find your talents and focus on them.
"There is nothing more satisfying than looking at a crowd of people and helping them get what I love." ~Day[9] Daily #100
fatfail
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
United States386 Posts
March 31 2012 05:57 GMT
#4
The problem is, I'm asian, so when I describe my achievements I will sound like I'm gloating, when in fact, I'm really fucking terrible in comparison to my peers. Affirmative action doesn't help either.
Kong fan... <3 Stork <3 Jangbi <3 Yellow <3 Fantasy
RogerX
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
New Zealand3180 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-03-31 06:23:34
March 31 2012 05:58 GMT
#5
Well being down about it isn't gonna help anything. Actually, it'll make it worse. So chin up soldier.
Stick it up. take it up. step aside and see the world
Stratos
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
Czech Republic6104 Posts
March 31 2012 05:59 GMT
#6
Uhm not really, I don't know if I ever felt like an underachiever. I do often feel like someone rewarded for their mindset and skills, which are overall pretty terrible. But hey I can stil find a reason to live, a passion to pursue. Although I have lots of respect for the people pushing things to their limits, I have never felt the need myself.

If you lead a happy life, you're far from an underachiever. And to lead a happy life you don't necessarily need to be good in anything but living itself.
En Taro Violet
fatfail
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
United States386 Posts
March 31 2012 06:01 GMT
#7
Hm, thanks for the motivation/consolation guys. Yeah, my tl username and signature don't exactly exude confidence.
Kong fan... <3 Stork <3 Jangbi <3 Yellow <3 Fantasy
Bagration
Profile Blog Joined October 2011
United States18282 Posts
March 31 2012 06:07 GMT
#8
Here's some advice: It's best not to compare yourself with other high achieving Asians. If you hear everyday about that guy who got into Harvard, that girl who got that full ride into medical school, that guy who became a Rhodes Scholar, that girl who got to perform at Obama's innaugration, etc. you're going to feel like shit about yourself and your accomplishments.

What do you do? Forget them. From what I've seen, Asian communities enjoy talking about their best and brightest, so the performance of the entire Asian community is inflated. Focus on yourself, and set personal goals for yourself, not based off of the "perfect" model Asian.

Source: Personal experiences and observations
Team Slayers, Axiom-Acer and Vile forever
ShadowDrgn
Profile Blog Joined July 2007
United States2497 Posts
March 31 2012 06:30 GMT
#9
Achievement is a lifelong goal. You aren't going to go from a mediocre underachiever into a superstar overnight -- it's a long process that requires dedication. Your peers that are excelling have probably always been at the top, and as they get better, they remain at the top. Even if you work as hard as them, you won't close the gap, and if you work harder, you still have a lot of improvement to make to get to their level.

The good news is that you're still in high school; you have the vast majority of your life still ahead of you. Start working harder today, and just work at improving yourself day by day. Don't get discouraged if you aren't the best next week, next month, or next year. Set personal goals, better yourself, and stop comparing yourself to everyone else around you.
Of course, you only live one life, and you make all your mistakes, and learn what not to do, and that’s the end of you.
English
Profile Joined April 2010
United States475 Posts
March 31 2012 06:42 GMT
#10
Try focusing on getting good grades. Doesn't have to be the best, but aim higher than what you think you can achieve (and keep out of the C range). Then be more active in a handful of extracurriculars, again you don't have to be great at it, just participate as much as you can. Then practice taking the SATs until you get the timing down, aim high, but focus on giving your best answer on ALL of the questions and completing the exam. You should be able to get into a decent college then.

If you don't get into a college of your choice, try taking a couple years in a JC and really boost your grades and then apply to a university.
NoScary
Profile Joined November 2010
United States151 Posts
March 31 2012 06:57 GMT
#11
You have to find something you are passionate about, something you care about more than your own comfort or pleasure.
"And when he came back to, he was flat on his back on the beach in the freezing sand, and it was raining out of a low sky, and the tide was way out." From birth to death, no time to rest, no time to waste.
bITt.mAN
Profile Blog Joined March 2009
Switzerland3693 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-03-31 07:21:56
March 31 2012 07:21 GMT
#12
Having done multiple things to a significant degree of competition, I say competitiveness sucks. Especially with high-schoolers gloating about their inflated self-image. Heh maybe they're better than their peers, but seems like they still haven't matured to an adult world, plus there are many people out there who are more qualified and /experienced/ than them (in real life, it's not 'how good for your age', it's 'how good, period').

This is what I've realized, and how I deal with the fact that some people can get to a level of proficiency at something that I've put years into: there are somethings people are objectively JUST BETTER THAN YOU at. Hey wait, that says 'objectively', but as humans we have no right to say 'objectively better' because we can't see or measure that.

You're only truly measured 'how far you've gotten' versus 'your own potential'. You're gonna have to accept different people have different potentials, but what's more important is that you fulfull what you CAN do. Different ~objective~ achievements have different value for different people, so don't get down by self-entitiled kids, put your head down and work -not for the sake of what people say about you, but for your own (satisfaction's) sake.
BW4LYF . . . . . . PM me, I LOVE PMs. . . . . . Long live "NaDa's Body" . . . . . . Fantasy | Bisu/Best | Jaedong . . . . .
Kyhol
Profile Blog Joined October 2008
Canada2575 Posts
March 31 2012 08:39 GMT
#13
Work hard and be determined. That's all anyone can ask.
In the process of working hard and being determined to create a better life for yourself you will find confidence, with that confidence you'll create your own direction in life.
Wishing you well.
Grohg
Profile Joined March 2011
United States243 Posts
March 31 2012 08:51 GMT
#14
If you have something to gloat about, that means you're doing something right. You don't need to be the next household name to be successful and you don't have to even worry about what everyone else is doing either. If you don't get into some super prestigious school, it's ok...honestly. Is your goal to be recognized or is it to be someone who does something with their life that they are passionate about? Turn your passion into your focus and set a goal that you CAN achieve. Use that momentum you get from succeeding to carry you to your next goal. High school isn't that big of a deal in the long run...I promise. It's a stepping stone to something else, university. I know for a fact that you are capable of doing something good. Everyone who wasn't born with a severe handicap has the potential to make something of themselves (some who ARE severely handicapped do it as well).

It's often not about the amount of hours you put into something but rather the way you approach that time. Learn to critically analyze things you do and point out the underlying weaknesses rather than throwing a blanket statement out there like "I'm not good at <insert activity>." Find out what it is that you specifically are struggling with and address that issue. Some things you simply don't need to focus on...if you know that music isn't your deal then don't make that a priority. Do what you need to do to get past the hurdle and get yourself into a spot where you feel comfortable.

Some people will do well in high school and be average in college while others will thrive in the college environment even if high school wasn't their best 4 years. You'll have more flexibility to choose what you like and you will actually have a chance to branch out from the basic liberal arts education that we have in the states. You'll still have your core classes that you have to take but I challenge you to choose elective courses that seem like they might be interesting. I started off as a computer science major but took a cognitive psychology class that I really enjoyed. The comp sci was alright but I didn't see myself doing that as a job so I changed my major and jumped into psychology and neuroscience. I'm now applying for grad school to do the same thing but I would have never been able to tell you that when I was in high school.

Focus on the next step...life is all about figuring out how to deal with the crap that gets thrown at you, minimizing its affect, and pushing forward with the things that really matter to you. You aren't bad because someone else does something better, and you can't fail because you see someone else succeeding at a level you aren't right now. The only failure that will happen is if you decide that you can't succeed. We're all our own limiting factor...your potential is there for you to seize and if you make an effort to tap into that resource, you WILL NOT be a failure.
You can't spell slaughter without laughter.
teamamerica
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
United States958 Posts
Last Edited: 2012-03-31 09:19:43
March 31 2012 09:14 GMT
#15
Depressing blog right as college acceptances are all out? All isn't lost man, CC program into transfer, if you aren't happy with your current selection of colleges. Let this be a wakeup call. Trust me man, if college acceptances are your biggest issues, which for most high schoolers they are, you're in a relatively great situation. I'm a much bigger fuck-up then you, but I won't spill my issues into your bog. All the same, dwelling on mistakes doesn't really get you anywhere, so all you can do is aspire to work harder and keep improving.

Sure there will be people who are better at you at stuff. Maybe even things you work in, or things you have a passion for. But at the end of the day, if you can tell yourself you tried your hardest, there's nothing to be ashamed of. Be a decent person, give it try your hardest, raise a family maybe, and then you die. They straight up make movies about people like this. I mean how many people do you find honestly give their 100% in anything in life? That's admirable.

Think of Starcraft II pro's. Most don't win big tournaments. Look at MajOr. He hasn't won shit, in SC or SCII. But he's pretty well known for his work-ethic, for how hard he tries. That and his seventeen name changes. But also for his work ethic. Look at that random dude, CarN, who got a mini-cult on TL just because he busted his ass in Korea, despite not having any results. Follow any sport league and there are people known for just trying as hard as they can, no matter their actual results. In school everyone knows the kids who study all the time and try as hard as they can. People respect hard-work.

Bottom line - don't worry about results. Do your best. Profit.
RIP GOMTV. RIP PROLEAGUE.
Tektos
Profile Joined November 2010
Australia1321 Posts
March 31 2012 09:41 GMT
#16
Don't compare yourself to others just try your hardest. It is really quite simple.

If you're not trying your hardest you only have yourself to blame.
SoniC_eu
Profile Joined April 2011
Denmark1008 Posts
March 31 2012 12:23 GMT
#17
You are exactly where u are supposed to be. I would start looking at what you have, rather than what you lack. Just being alive and having shelter&food is not so common on Earth. If you throw in family, education and a computer, well buddy then you are in fact part of Earth's human elite. That's something all we TL'ers can be grateful for....
Look at things you appreciate and what you enjoy in your life. The asian college race doesn't define life, as you will see in 10-15 yrs, as long as you're happy and doing something you enjoy. Getting an education is always a good idea IMO. But beating yourself up and (Sry) whining is just going to hamper the natural development of life.
So, name 3 things you enjoy. And your 3 fondest memories Let's start there.
In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure. http://da.twitch.tv/sonic_eu
docvoc
Profile Blog Joined July 2011
United States5491 Posts
March 31 2012 14:28 GMT
#18
Dude, I suck massive-ly, MASSIVE-ly at starcraft, I'm number 6 on my tennis team which is division 2 A in highschool on a good day, and I'm a noob at Blender and Maya 3-d modeling; This all being said, that doesn't mean you are underachieving. I have supposedly great grades because i work for them, I work my ass off for everything I do, but that doesn't mean i get immidiate rewards. Most times it takes months if not years to get good at anything, i start off kind of like this because i am so bad, and then end up like this, finally breaking through to the other side after trying so hard for so long .

My point here is not that I'm very successful, but that success takes time, also I suggest, just as everyone else has said, to chin up, soldier . Believe me it helps. Confidence in yourself is the fast track to success, and you can be smiling all along the way to it .
User was warned for too many mimes.
iSometric
Profile Blog Joined February 2011
2221 Posts
March 31 2012 14:43 GMT
#19
You could not go to college and be more successful than a person with a full ride to MIT. Believe in yourself, anything can happen.
strava.com/athletes/zhaodynasty
Cheater23
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
United States34 Posts
March 31 2012 15:15 GMT
#20
Like DocVoc said, there is always someone better,stronger, smarter,faster etc.

It ultimately comes down to what you dedicate your time and patience to. Even then success requires a bit of luck.

But the way you live basically boils down to two decisions. You can 1.) Continue the way you've done things or 2.) Change

If you aren't happy with the way things are, choose the latter and make em the way you want.
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
LAN Event
15:00
Stellar Fest: Day 3
ByuN vs Zoun
TBD vs TriGGeR
Clem vs TBD
EnkiAlexander 26
Liquipedia
WardiTV Korean Royale
12:00
Group Stage 1 - Group A
WardiTV1178
Rex133
IntoTheiNu 23
LiquipediaDiscussion
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
Reynor 251
Rex 133
IndyStarCraft 99
MindelVK 37
Railgan 15
StarCraft: Brood War
firebathero 8785
Sea 3291
JulyZerg 796
GuemChi 684
Barracks 669
Mini 503
Soma 400
PianO 246
Hyun 166
hero 133
[ Show more ]
Last 118
ggaemo 60
Larva 53
Backho 47
ToSsGirL 35
Terrorterran 26
zelot 21
HiyA 20
scan(afreeca) 14
Noble 12
Dota 2
qojqva2858
Dendi845
syndereN137
BananaSlamJamma120
LuMiX1
Counter-Strike
byalli321
Heroes of the Storm
Khaldor407
Other Games
singsing2492
B2W.Neo1501
Mlord566
Hui .312
Sick198
RotterdaM193
XcaliburYe96
goatrope56
QueenE55
gofns1
Organizations
StarCraft 2
ComeBackTV 438
UrsaTVCanada149
StarCraft: Brood War
Kim Chul Min (afreeca) 15
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 14 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• Adnapsc2 7
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Dota 2
• C_a_k_e 3598
• WagamamaTV484
• Ler95
Upcoming Events
IPSL
2h 39m
JDConan vs WIZARD
WolFix vs Cross
BSL 21
4h 39m
spx vs rasowy
HBO vs KameZerg
Cross vs Razz
dxtr13 vs ZZZero
OSC
7h 39m
OSC
17h 39m
Wardi Open
20h 39m
Replay Cast
1d 7h
WardiTV Korean Royale
1d 20h
Replay Cast
2 days
Kung Fu Cup
2 days
Classic vs Solar
herO vs Cure
Reynor vs GuMiho
ByuN vs ShoWTimE
Tenacious Turtle Tussle
3 days
[ Show More ]
The PondCast
3 days
RSL Revival
3 days
Solar vs Zoun
MaxPax vs Bunny
Kung Fu Cup
3 days
WardiTV Korean Royale
3 days
Replay Cast
4 days
RSL Revival
4 days
Classic vs Creator
Cure vs TriGGeR
Kung Fu Cup
4 days
CranKy Ducklings
5 days
RSL Revival
5 days
herO vs Gerald
ByuN vs SHIN
Kung Fu Cup
5 days
BSL 21
6 days
Tarson vs Julia
Doodle vs OldBoy
eOnzErG vs WolFix
StRyKeR vs Aeternum
Sparkling Tuna Cup
6 days
RSL Revival
6 days
Reynor vs sOs
Maru vs Ryung
Kung Fu Cup
6 days
WardiTV Korean Royale
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Proleague 2025-11-07
SC4ALL: StarCraft II
Eternal Conflict S1

Ongoing

C-Race Season 1
IPSL Winter 2025-26
KCM Race Survival 2025 Season 4
SOOP Univ League 2025
YSL S2
BSL Season 21
Stellar Fest: Constellation Cup
IEM Chengdu 2025
PGL Masters Bucharest 2025
Thunderpick World Champ.
CS Asia Championships 2025
ESL Pro League S22
StarSeries Fall 2025
FISSURE Playground #2
BLAST Open Fall 2025
BLAST Open Fall Qual

Upcoming

SLON Tour Season 2
BSL 21 Non-Korean Championship
Acropolis #4
IPSL Spring 2026
HSC XXVIII
RSL Offline Finals
WardiTV 2025
RSL Revival: Season 3
META Madness #9
BLAST Bounty Winter 2026: Closed Qualifier
eXTREMESLAND 2025
ESL Impact League Season 8
SL Budapest Major 2025
BLAST Rivals Fall 2025
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2025 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.