“The best revenge is success.” I always remind myself of this quote when I encounter people who judge and doubt me. Being in my last semester of my undergraduate degree, I have faced many doubts, challenges and limitations. It’s important to stay focused on your goal and to not get distracted by “haters,” instead, use them as your motivation.

Sometimes it feels easier to give up and quit than deal with obstacles and the stress of chasing your dreams. Early on I learned that success starts with self-belief. If you don’t believe in yourself then even if everyone around you believes in you, it won’t mean anything. Your belief in you is the most important key to your success. Despite challenges, it’s important to remember and believe that you are good enough – because you are.

I think it’s easy for students to get distracted by other students who may be more successful than them at something. As a student, this is the worst mistake you can make. You should never compare yourself to others, or become ‘green’ with the vice of envy. If someone reaches their goal before you, it does not mean that you won’t or that they are better than you. Successful people don’t compare themselves to others because they are happy with who they are. They also don’t hate other people because they simply don’t have that kind of time.

As I close the doors to my Laurier experience this semester, and move towards beginning my law school career in September, my best advice is this: always be thankful for and welcome failures. It may sound ironic but I have learned far more from my failures and challenges than from my successes. Let go of the past and have faith in your future and your ability to be successful. Do not let failure distract you from your goals. Whenever you fail in something, learn a lesson from it and always try again. Keep your eyes on your goal. Fail again, fail better.