Trauma? Ever heard of it?

I got it when I was only 17. It was time to leave college and get into university. As I started giving tests for different universities, my teachers were anything but encouraging.

“Oh, you? You have applied for a top university?” they would scoff and laugh so hard their voices still ring in my ear. 

“How come you ever think they will have you?”

“Go for a private one. Suits you.” 

It wasn’t just once. They said all this while I was standing in the middle of class. 

And when people found out I wanted to study law, they laughed at my face and wondered, “Ah, who will give you a case?”

It wasn’t just the teachers; it was scoffing smiles from my peers, the principal – as if I was committing a crime, not applying for a university. But I ignored it and continued; gave every test there was while turning a deaf ear to their taunts..

I burned the midnight oil, managed to find some reliable resources, cool seniors, and ended up clearing every single test.

When I eventually went to get my marksheet from college, one of my teachers asked, with a cunning smile on her face, “Where did you end up?” I took a deep breath and let the name out of my mouth. In an instant, her smile vanished.“Haha… are you kidding? Or did someone refer you?” 

I didn’t reply and continued to listen to her insulting comments.

I finally went to the university of my dreams – in the department I loved the most; Continued my work, excelled in studies and in extracurricular activities that ended up in national and international competitions with remarkable score sheets.

I became a senior for juniors who wanted guidance. I tried my best to fill the blank space their teachers left.

Even now, whenever I sit idly in my room, I smile to myself. If I hadn’t persevered, I wouldn’t have that table full of recognition awards. I wouldn’t have reached the peaks of my career.

Teachers, seniors, and sometimes even parents give you a trauma that feels unhealable. However, you always need to be respectful and work hard for your dreams. 

“The more you do, the more you achieve.”

Maybe you weren't great at studies or activities back then. But that's okay, it's behind you now. 

‘Focus on what’s happening today to make tomorrow better.’

In your life, you will face failure, feel embarrassed, and people will laugh – but don’t let it consume you.

Remember, whenever a door closes on you, a thousand more open. Believe in Allah and yourself, do wonders, and let no one be a rock in your pathway.

Trauma may sound harsh and feel painful, but it can be transformed into success. The scars left by doubt can become a ladder, and in the end, you just look back and realize that those moments were shaping you and that they were your silent motivation to achieve more.

So, to anyone reading this: hold your head high, remember the words, repeat them daily:  “I can do this! Who will give me a case? More like, who won’t!” 

Then watch how wonders unfold.