I have never been the smartest cookie. I wasn't valedictorian or even salutatorian, but I worked hard in high school and even harder now in college. Schoolwork was never something that came easily to me (especially math) but that doesn't mean I didn't try. Staying after school, watching crash course videos online, talking to professors and teachers about ways I could bring grades up or extra credit. While getting an education is one of the most important and valuable things I or anyone else will do, it doesn't beat being a good person.

Showing up after class to ask for help, shooting an email to make up missed assignments, asking "How are you today?" or saying "Have a great afternoon!" when you leave class to show some extra kindness really does go another mile. Being kind and proving to not only yourself but to your teachers that you are willing to go above and beyond to do well or to show improvement really does make a difference in the long run.

I knew plenty of people in high school and even now, in college, who don't have to try very hard to make A's. They show up, or sometimes don't, and it seems like they understand the information so effortlessly. Sometimes I wish I could say the same about myself, but then I get to thinking and realize I don't.

The satisfaction of an A+ on a test makes the hours of studying, sleepless night, and 3 cups of coffee completely worth it. When I'm older, I hope to look back and see that I found the balance between good grades and being a great person, and hopefully, you can say the same.