I've successfully completed my third semester of college. I'm three-eighths of the way there if everything continues to work out going forward, but I've never felt worse. I'm at the lowest point I've ever been during my time in school, and that's strange for me. Academics have always come so easy to me. I've completed the semester, I passed everything with A's and B's (give or take the +'s and -'s), and I'm getting closer and closer to the finish line, so how can I be this unhappy?

I want to offer a small disclaimer before I begin. Although my article is entitled 'A Tough Semester,' my hope is that the word "semester" will be interchangeable. Whether you're in a tough season of life despite everything around you staying the same or undergoing major life changes and having trouble adjusting, I know that many of us are in a tough semester of life and I hope that this will apply to you as well.

I Took A Chance.

My freshman year during the spring semester, I got invited to apply to the Honors Program at NC State. Last minute, and in typical Chantelle fashion, I decided "why not try?" I applied and I was excited when I found out I was accepted. I've always loved school and learning because it was always good to me because as far as getting good grades goes, it just came easily.

The chance I took was not without challenge, though. The Honors Program requires 12 credit hours of Honors Classes, so for me, that means 4 semesters of classes during sophomore and junior year in order to work on the required Capstone Project senior year. My major requires 15 credit hours of classes each semester, so doing the math means every semester of sophomore and junior year, I'll have 18 credit hours of classes. The minimum to be a full-time student is 12, and if you want to take between 19-21 credit hours, you need the University's approval; I'll essentially be swamped with 6 classes each semester until my senior year, while some people only have 4.

I Noticed Everyone and Everything Around Me.

I survived the semester. I generally had 2-3 tests every week, and sometimes tests for various classes would end up on the same day. Going back and doing the math, I took about 40-50 tests this past semester. I remember saying no to so many fun things because I had to study, and I began to see my friends have tons of fun, study the night before for tests, and still get A's.

I wondered why this was happening to me and how I could still fail sometimes despite working so hard. I noticed that if I slipped up and tried to balance studying and having fun, my grades reflected it. Why could everyone else manage to do this while if I tried to do one fun thing to take a break from studying, I would notice my B average slipping towards a C?

In Tough Times, I Need to Look Inward.

I'm not sure how I finally did it, but once I stopped the comparisons, I decided to reflect on solely myself. I realized that my success was mine alone and that there's no point in comparing yourself to others when everyone's academics and lives, in general, are just so different that they don't even deserve comparison.

I made all A's and B's despite having 18 credit hours and having to take classes way outside of my comfort zone, like Statistics. I realized my Honors class was my favorite class of the semester, and my only A, (I made other A's, but they were A-'s). I felt equipped as a student being in a political science class about the history of conservatism, especially during an election year. I was able to talk about politics, current events, and world news because I was able to formulate intelligent and informed opinions thanks to my class. I'm excited for my future Honors classes and grateful to be in the Honors Program on the road to becoming a well-versed student.

I Need to Love What I've Got.

It's my semester, and no one can take that way from me no matter how I wish it went; just like it's your life. No one else gets to say that. Being hard on myself is uncalled for when I can look back now and note all my successes and growth as a person.

As one of my favorite rappers J. Cole says: "no such thing as a life that's better than yours." That line comes from one of my absolute favorite songs called Love "Yourz,"in which J. Cole uses many examples of others around us having better clothes, bigger homes, and prettier women, in order to drive home the point that you'll never be happy until you love what is yours alone. Your life and everything that it encompasses is yours alone to cherish and be proud of, and there simply is no time for comparison when you're happy and secure with what you have as you seek your individualistic success.

So... there are two steps to finding the silver lining, the good in the bad, the life lessons from the trials we face. First, reflect inward alone. Don't seek to compare yourself to those around you, but instead, recognize your intentions and cherish what you still have to be thankful for during your time of growth. Second, remind yourself that the people that truly matter in your life are going love, support, and be proud of you no matter where life takes you on your journey.