My journey in Chemistry

Since 10th grade I was interested in Chemistry. I always liked the concepts and themes of Chemistry and i always seen myself as being quite good at it. Yet I had never had a chance to participate in any kind of competition or olympiad and it was unsettling for me. Hence, at the start of my second IB year I decided to participate in the national Chemistry Olympiad and try my luck.
At the start of the year I was kind of distracted because I couldn't study anything efficient. I didn't know exactly what to learn and how. Fortunetly, my teacher helped me to lay first steps and I was one the right track of preparation. I started studying different branches of Chemistry in advanced level compared to the school syllabus. This was great and at the same time it was horrifying because it was really hard to understand most of the concepts and material. For example. when I started reading my Organic Chemistry textbook, it took a few weeks for me to complete a single chapter when now it is sufficient to study for a day to have the same result. This starting step was one of the most hardest things I had to pull myself through in my life. However, after 3-4 months, when the regional step of olympiad was close, I started to see the subject in different eyes and I managed too become actually good at it.
The regional step took place in January 13th and suprisigly I won 1st place and clinched a spot in the national competition in which I won 2nd place. After these two winnings my self-esteem boosted and I finally saw myself as being able to not only learn but apply my skills and actually win competition.
When I placed 2nd in national Olympiad I had a chance to be a part of the team that participates in the International Chemistry Olympiad (ICHO) and to be a part of it, we had to participate in another olympiad ( Baltic Chemistry Olympiad) and if I had placed there as atleast 4th student from my country, I would be a part of it. Luckily, I was 3rd from my country in the baltic competition and now I can safely say that I will be a participant of ICHO.
I never imagined that this kind of progress is possible in one year but my determination had made this possible and because of this rare opportunity to represent my country in an international event, I will try my best to be as good as possible.