As the new semester is on the horizon, this is something we need to be reminded of before we get all bogged down with reading, studying, and exams. The grades we receive do not (and should not) define who we are.

This revelation has been almost six years in the making, but even I catch myself stressing over that 'B' on the final exam. This idea came to me when I had lunch with a friend. To be honest, the words came out of my mouth before I had a chance to think them over first (thanks, no filter). All semester she's struggled with a class and the terrible (and totally unhelpful) professor, and I listened to her vent (totally don't mind doing it). Without going into too much detail, I said, "This will sound preachy, but your grade does not define who you are." It's true. I know how much work she did. I know how much effort she's made to learn the material. The grade she should get for all the time, effort, and work she put into the semester is definitely (and significantly) higher than the one she's told me that she'll likely get.

The grades we get on projects, the grades we get on tests, the grades we get on assignments DO NOT define us.

This is so important that I will say it again: the grades we get in any class do not define us and who we are. Grades do not define who we are as human beings.

They do not define us, and we shouldn't let them.

They do not know what a beautiful human you are.

The grades don't measure how much time you put into making study aids.

The grades don't measure how much effort you put into studying for tests and exams.

The grades don't measure how "enough" you are.

You are (more than) enough, and the grades you earned can't change that fact.

What matters isn't the grade, even though I will not deny the fact it's nice to see an 'A' on a quiz, you got; it's what you got out of the experience, what you learned is what matters. Now, I realize this is a hard concept to accept and enforce in your life, but this will more than pay for itself throughout the rest of your life.

Why we put so much emphasis on grades is something that bugs me to no end. If someone, who worked really hard (and learned a lot), received a 'C+' then they deserve the same positive attention given to the person who, might not have worked as hard, received a 'A'. I believe it goes back to how our society today seems to love to judge by first glance and that's that. While I might not have proof to back this opinion up, this something that needs to be changed about our society.