When I stood on the stage at my high school graduation, I remember being so proud of myself and everything I had accomplished while I was there. I had mistakenly thought that college was going to be just like high school. No matter how many times I was told otherwise, I had a set notion in my head that I was going to be able to succeed while using the same antics I had used in high school. I was very wrong. You cannot succeed in college with minimal effort, but that is not a bad thing. Here are my words of advice for those of you who have turned into mediocre college students.

Just because you aren't the same 4.0 high school student, doesn't mean you have failed in any way.

College is not a breeze. Even if you thought you were going to do just as well as you were in high school, and didn't, don't think that you failed yourself. You have more stress now than you probably ever did in high school, and that is bound to effect anyone. There is so much more to absorb and a lot more work to do.

Grades will not determine how far you go.

They won't. You will. You will have an amazing opportunity to succeed no matter what. Land that awesome internship, impress someone with your knowledge on a topic. Lead with what you know. Even if your grades aren't the strongest, do not worry about how it will affect your future.

Don't let anyone tell you you've failed.

No one knows the full story on how hard you worked or how much you struggled. You do you, don't let anyone tell you different.

There is always next semester.

One bad semester does not mean you can't have a great one the next time. Keep fighting for the grades you want. You can do it, we all believe in you.

Don't let people compare you to your high school self.

You two are not the same person. You guys broke up the second you went to college. Don't let people con you into thinking you should be doing just as well or be the same person. You're not supposed to be. You're supposed to grow and learn.

All in all, its okay if you aren't killing it like "everyone else" is. College is hard and you will learn as you go. Do your best and keep your head up.