Describe a decision you made in the past that helped you learn or grow

One of the most defining moments of my life came in the past, when I was just fourteen, faced with a choice that would set the course for my future: deciding what subject to pursue in college. This wasn’t just a single decisionit was the first in a series of choices where I learned to trust my instincts, even when the odds seemed stacked against me.

I can still picture the scene vividly: a room divided, my grandmother, aunties, and mother on one side, passionately advocating for their perspective, and me, alone on the other, holding my ground. We debated for hours, their voices urging me to follow a path they believed was best. But I stood firm, determined to choose what felt right for me. In the end, I had my way.

Looking back, that decision was a turning point. The field I eventually thrived incomputershad little connection to the subjects I studied in school or college. Yet, choosing my own path taught me a vital lesson: trusting my judgment, even in the face of opposition, could lead to unexpected and rewarding outcomes.

That moment wasn’t just about picking a college subject; it was about learning to rely on my own reasoning. I’ve carried this approach into every major decision since. I’m not swayed by others’ argumentsnot out of arrogance, but from a clear understanding of my strengths, limitations, and what serves my best interests. Time and again, this mindset has proven its worth. Even those who once disagreed with me have come to acknowledge, sometimes reluctantly, that my choices were sound.

Life has a way of unfolding unpredictably, and no decision is foolproof. But by trusting myself, I’ve built a foundation of confidence that continues to guide me. That fourteen-year-old, standing alone in a room full of opposing voices, taught me that growth often begins with the courage to follow your own path.