For a long time, I believed that being a good student simply meant getting good grades. One evening, while I was scrolling through Facebook, I saw many posts celebrating perfect grades, scholarships, and admission to prestigious schools. I turned off my phone and sat quietly, wondering why they could achieve those things while I couldn't. At that moment, I realized how easily I measured my own success by comparing myself with others. Looking back, that moment marked the beginning of a journey that completely changed the way I think about learning.
One of the biggest challenges I faced was comparing myself to others. Because of social media, it became very easy to see the achievements of other students every day. I constantly saw people posting their perfect grades, scholarships, awards, or productive study schedules online. I began to doubt whether I was good enough. I was very jealous at that time. While these posts were sometimes inspiring, they also made me question my own progress. There were nights when I scrolled through social media and wondered whether I was working hard enough. Seeing everyone else's success often made me focus on what I lacked instead of appreciating my own progress.
Throughout my studies, technology has become an increasingly important part of my learning experience. One tool that has had the biggest impact on me is artificial intelligence (AI). Initially, I was curious about how AI could help with learning. When I started learning English more seriously, one of my essays contained many grammatical errors. The AI patiently explained each error, and for the first time, I understood why my sentence was wrong. From then on, my learning became easier and I no longer encountered any difficulties. Before using AI, I often had to wait until the next English class to ask my teacher about grammatical errors in my writing. With AI, I could get immediate feedback and understand my mistakes faster, which made me more confident in my English writing. It made learning more accessible and boosted my confidence in my English abilities.
However, the more I used AI, the more I realized that it could not do everything for me. It could suggest ideas and provide explanations, but it could not replace my own thinking. Whenever I feel like giving up, I remember a quote by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh: "Creating something from nothing, turning the difficult into the easy, making the impossible possible." Rather than seeing it as a slogan, I see it as a reminder that growth comes from persistence and the courage to keep trying, even when progress feels slow. When writing essays, for example, AI could help me organize my thoughts, but it could not express my personal experiences, emotions, or opinions. I learned that true learning still requires curiosity, reflection, and independent thinking. AI can be a valuable tool, but it should support learning rather than replace it.
This experience changed the way I view education. I no longer believe that learning is only about achieving high grades or competing with others. Instead, I see it as a process of growth. Learning helps me understand myself, develop new skills, and become more aware of the world around me. I also believe schools should teach students how to use technology responsibly. In a world filled with information, students need critical thinking skills to determine what is reliable and what is not.
Today, I still face challenges as a learner. There are times when I feel overwhelmed by the fast-paced digital world and the pressure to keep up with others. Nevertheless, I feel fortunate to have access to so many learning opportunities beyond the classroom. My learning journey has taught me that progress is more important than perfection and that technology is most useful when it is used wisely.
Looking back, I am grateful not only for the technology that has supported my learning but also for the challenges that have taught me resilience and patience. From comparing myself to others on social media to learning how to use AI responsibly, every experience has helped me grow in different ways. My journey is still far from over, and I know there is still much for me to learn. However, I now understand that learning is not a race against others. It is a lifelong process of growth, discovery, and becoming a better version of myself
About the Student Author
Đỗ Ngọc Xuân Trang is a 9th Grade Student in Vietnam.