Overcoming Adversity: Our Journey to the F1 in Schools National Finals

Competing in the F1 in Schools National Finals has been an incredibly challenging journey for our team. We faced numerous hurdles, starting with frequent changes in our team roster. Conflicting schedules due to final exams and the Eid Holiday forced us to reshuffle our members not once, but three times. Even with our final roster, two members had to bow out because of personal commitments, leaving us scrambling to fill their roles.

Another major obstacle was the lack of sponsors and, consequently, operational funds. We found ourselves practically begging some of our parents to finance our team. This financial strain took a toll on our morale, causing some members to lose confidence in our ability to succeed. We reached a point where it felt like nobody believed in us, and the prospect of finishing everything seemed bleak.

Throughout these tough times, our mentor, Mr. Edrian, stood as a pillar of unwavering support and confidence. His persistent belief in us never wavered, even when ours did. Mr. Edrian’s trust and encouragement made us realize that we had nothing to lose, regardless of whether we won or not, and everything to gain from this experience. His mentorship taught us resilience and the importance of perseverance.

Meeting deadlines, both for the competition and our academic responsibilities, became another significant challenge. Balancing these demands required immense dedication and time management skills, pushing us to our limits.

Despite these obstacles, we learned invaluable lessons about teamwork, determination, and the power of believing in ourselves. The journey to the F1 in Schools National Finals was far from easy, but it shaped us into a stronger, more united team, ready to face any challenge that comes our way. Whether we win or not, the experiences and growth we’ve gained are our true victories.

-Ahmad Bin Asif