Nittany Confidence

Most of life's situations are learning experiences. Feeling embarrassed or even failing can give confidence. People can learn what activities are right or wrong for them by experiences these emotions in different situations. These learning experiences can take place at home, school, the workplace, or anywhere else. The three major experiences that have given me confidence in my ability to learn have all taken place at Penn State University.

One experience that, in the end, gave me confidence was my first semester of lessons with Mr. Toulson, the Penn State School of Music clarinet professor. Mr. Toulson was not a personable man. He was very quick to criticize every mistake I was making and was very blunt with his comments. I felt like a failure. I was very sensitive, and began to cry many times. Being that sensitive didn't help at all. When I finally did so something well, he made me feel great. I learned that no matter how badly I am playing, I must stay confident, for crying doe...