Being a straight-A student all throughout high school, I initially believed that a SUNY school like Binghamton University would be a piece of cake. To be honest, I did not really think there was anything special about a state school, besides its affordable cost of attendance and its closeness to home. But, I can promise you I was wrong. Little did I know what was in store for me, and little did I understand how to cope with the work level of such a challenging school.

Before college, seeing a 90 on an exam was the norm for many students. It was known that studying for an exam would get you a good grade, and so we aimed for the highest grade we could get. Or at least, that was definitely the case for me. During college, however, we are taught to succeed in a completely different manner. We are now told to focus on performing better than the rest of the students within the class. “At least you scored above average,” says everyone always in college. For all it matters, you can receive a 75 in a class and still end up with a B. With this mindset, we are undermining our true capabilities and are becoming blinded by the competitive nature of college. Our successes should never feed upon the shortcomings of others. Obtaining a score that is below average should never make you feel intellectually inept.

This is something I struggled with the majority of my freshman year into sophomore year. Throughout my life, I always pushed myself to excel academically. And for the most part, I would say I was a strong student. However, when I started receiving my first B’s in college, I felt as though I was not good enough anymore.This is quite ironic, attending college should make you feel intellectually accomplished. I was scoring average grades and no longer seeing those 90s I had been accustomed to. In a way, it discouraged me from doing my best, because I was not seeing the results I was hoping for. And this was my greatest fault. Regardless of how hard I worked, I would barely score above average. And my mediocre performance on an exam or two started impacting the way I viewed myself.

It finally took me some time to realize that I was not going to settle for something less than what I want to be. College is hard, do not get me wrong. But all the resources you need to succeed are within your boundaries. The majority of them are actually right in your head. What helped me get back on track the most was realizing that I was not doing the best I can, and this is why I was not happy with myself. I stopped comparing myself to others, and just giving it my all. I took advantage of the resources that were handed to me. Take advantage of the office hours, tutoring, study groups, etc. Step out of your comfort bubble, and start asking for help.

You are not supposed to know everything, and you are not expected to ace it all on your own. Once you know that you have given it your all, you'll feel accomplished regardless of what the written score indicates. Once you start developing this mindset, you will naturally start to find yourself more successful. Although college is tough, it has definitely taught me to be a true student and challenge myself. If you put your mind to something, you will achieve it. Just remember, your biggest competitor should only be you at your best.