You came to college with a plan: graduate in three years--thanks to AP credits--with a 4.0, but you would even settle for a 3.5, then you would be off to graduate school. Your resume would be full of clubs that you held leadership positions in, research in the field that you want to work in, plus so many volunteer opportunities you would probably need two pages devoted to them alone. It was all picture-perfect; you showed up on move-in today ready for action.

Then it all went wrong.

It started off well enough, classes seemed less than interesting because general education requirements left you bored, but your professors for the most part were great. Maybe you joined a sorority, in addition to four other clubs, spreading yourself a little thin. Maybe being away from home overwhelmed you so you only wanted to stay in bed. Any number of reasons caused your stress levels to go up while your motivation went down. It doesn’t happen overnight, but it typically happens sooner or later.

For me, it started with roommate problems and ended with me failing my first test in college. I received a 63 on a chemistry test, then saw my future crumble before me. Instead of being logical and trying to quickly remedy the situation, I began to accept my impending doom. This probably seems overly dramatic (because it was), but it was the only solution I thought appropriate. Finally I pulled myself out of my rut, got back to studying, even ended up earning an A in the class. All seemed well as my life plan was back on track. Unexpectedly though, one of my other classes suffered so I received a B+. Regrettably, I realized a little too late and gave into my 3.8 GPA for the semester.

While all of that first semester turned out okay in the end, it started the slow downward spiral for me. The next semester I received a C+ in an entry-level biology class. Biology was supposed to be my major; these classes were supposed to be easy. I could have exempted out of the class with my AP credit, but everyone told me I needed to take it so I would be ready for the upper level biology classes. I grew so frustrated with myself, unsure of how it even happened. My perfect GPA down the drain, my three year plan deteriorating because turns out college classes are hard, I barely had enough free time to keep myself afloat, much less to devote hours to many service projects.

I realized something important after all these events. Real life, unlike the board game, presents you with more than two options. You don’t have to choose college or career right away. College is still a trial period for adulthood and it’s not meant to be perfect. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t always try your best, but it’s also important to learn when and where to expend your time and energy. Some things you can’t change; sometimes you will get a C in a class. This is not the end of the world and you do not need to change your major immediately. C’s can be a sign that you need to change study habits or techniques, go see the professor, actually attend class, even in dire situations consider changing majors or minors, but it can also just be a tough class. C’s are not to be taken lightly, but are not the end of the world. My grandad told me before I even started college that I worry too much and “C’s get degrees.”

I guess he was right after all.