College is hard, there's no getting around that.
The classes are long, early, boring and repetitive.
If you're like me, you've always been a straight-A student. From pre-k through 12th grade, you were above average and on the fast track to a successful college career.
Until that one class snuck up behind you and ruined our perfect record.
For me, that class was math. I've never been particularly good at math, but I've never been extremely terrible at it either. However, when you're above average, simply being average doesn't cut it.
All through high school, I had low A's and the occasional high B in Math, and I was disappointed with that.
So when I got to college, I decided that I was going to have A's in all of my math classes.
Oh, how nice it is to be young and naive.
Two years into my college experience, and I am struggling to have a C in my final math class ever.
Before coming to grips with the fact that I was not making the grades that I wished for, I was so extremely disappointed in myself. I felt like I was not only letting myself down but my parents as well.
I didn't understand how I could study for three-plus hours a day and STILL fail a test.
My parents could see that I was stressing out and struggling hardcore with this particular math class, and they reassured me that they knew that I was trying my best, and that's all that mattered.
Despite their reassurances, I still felt like a failure.
How could I have A's in every one of my other classes, yet this one puny math class was giving me the struggle of my life?
The simple answer that I discovered just a few days ago is that I'm not a math person.
My brain isn't wired to be good at math.
My brain isn't wired to process complex equations.
My brain is wired to be creative.
My brain is wired to hold 20 years of useless knowledge.
Everyone's brain is different.
Some of us have logical and science-based brains, but we aren't good at history and literature.
Some of us have creative- and art-based brains, but we aren't good at science and math.
Just because your brain is different than someone else's, doesn't mean you're any less intelligent.
Just because you process information differently from your biology lab partner, doesn't mean that they're any smarter than you.
Just because you are failing a class that you try in, doesn't make you a failure.
You are trying your hardest, staying up until 3 am to study, asking for extra help, going to tutoring, you are putting up a fight.
Failures don't fight, they lie down and just allow things to happen.
Yes, your GPA is important, but it doesn't define you.
You are not defined by a number, and you never will be.
You will pass that class.
You will get into a good grad school.
You will get your dream job.
You will get that internship you've always wanted.
You will find love.
You will be happy.
Your worth is not determined by what you see on Canvas or Blackboard.
Your worth is your happiness, and only you have the ability to make sure your happiness is your top priority.
So during this hectic exam season, take a breath, turn on some Enya, light some candles and study your heart out.
You're almost there, and you CAN do this.
