It is tempting to believe that perfect academic performance is the key to a successful future.
At every parent-teacher conference, parents often focus on grades, as if a test score can measure a teenager’s whole potential.
But during adolescence, it’s the moments when we stumble—those wipeouts—that often teach us more than our successes do.
I was reminded of this on Vesak Day, a time when many reflect on growth and renewal.
A friend shared how she once failed a big exam in secondary school.
At first, her analysis was harsh: she blamed herself and worried about what her parents would say.
It felt like a total wipeout.
But that experience led her to try new ways to study—like calisthenics in the morning to boost her focus, or joining a study group.
She compares it to her first time scuba diving: it was scary, uncomfortable, and she swallowed some water.
But learning how to recover made her stronger both in and out of school.
To be clear, I am not suggesting we ignore academic performance.
After all, effort and persistence matter.
But perhaps we should view wipeouts as part of growing up, not just moments to forget.
Sometimes, the most important lessons surface only when we come up for air.
