Failure is always the best way to learn?

Education, like anything in life that is worth pursuing, is an exercise that requires sustained effort against a measure of resistance in order to grow. If one is not challenged, required to do something just beyond one's means, true education will never take place. If everything in a course were easy, one may like the course for its simplicity and lack of requirement, but one will not gain anything from it either. When we are asked to do something just beyond our capabilities and we apply ourselves in the task, we may fall short to a degree, but it is that very process that enables us to accomplish the task on a future day. Hence, failure (when one has sincerely made an attempt) is a great learning tool. I am not speaking of failing a class as being a great way to learn (though for some it may be), but taking on a specific task, stretching oneself, and coming up just a little short may both motivate us to improve and strengthen us in our ability to succeed.
Needless to say, this message is presented in a song (appropriately titled, "Failure") written and performed by one of my favorite bands, Kings of Convenience. Take a little break and listen to the message--it is a good one, if you understand it correctly. My favorite line: "Failure is always the best way to learn, retracing your steps until you know, have no fear your wounds will heal." In other words, don't be afraid to try something just because it may seem intimidating or beyond your capabilities. And anytime you fail, don't merely give up and walk away from it forever. Rather, ponder upon it--retrace your steps and try to figure out where it went wrong. Once you figure out what the missteps are, you may then effectively make a conscientious effort to correct the flaw and thus succeed at whatever it is that you are pursuing in life. You have the ability to become whatever you choose in life--it is simply a matter of dedication and application. Best wishes!