Although chasing perfection can be seen as a downfall, it has shaped who I am and what I have accomplished. Simultaneously, allowing this drive to become hyperfocused can quickly become my greatest downfall. As high school progressed, I realized that I was constantly seeking perfection within my academic classes and extracurriculars. Every time I achieved “perfection,” it gave more reason to push and explore further. Every time I failed, I became an emotional wreck because the idea of “failure” had always been foreign to me when I pursued things I cared about. With perfection as my goal, making mistakes were emotionally and mentally draining, and, it was clear, that making mistakes was inevitable. Early in my junior year, I received a 23%