College is always a big adjustment for freshmen. There's so much more free time and independence, so much that it can be overwhelming. Typically, there is a span of about three months between each academic year, usually requiring the need for some subject review.

2020 has obviously not been a uniform year. We have had almost six months away from formal schooling. I commend the teachers and faculty for all of their hard-work and rapid adjustment during the final quarter of the last year. However, personally, I forgot how to school. I haven't had to take notes or study regularly in far too long, so four quizzes in the first week hot me like a ton of bricks. Now, I'm not asking for pity or whining about my situation. I'm going to a university and actually able to stay on-campus and attend some classes in person. First world problems, I know.

I'm just sharing thoughts that several classmates and I have discussed and are in agreement about. I am STRUGGLING. Drowning is probably a better word, actually. In high school, I was so over-extended that I was booked to the minute. Now, most of my dictated by my "class schedule."

With COVID-19, my class schedule isn't looking typical. Most of my classes are online or only meet one time a week. In short, I usually only have one class a day and the rest of my assignments are posted online. Needless to say, 50 minutes a day doesn't exactly keep me focused and on-track.

The first week was rough, I won't lie. I've always been known to procrastinate (sorry Mrs. Donovan), but I was usually able to pull it off. For some reason, I forgot to consider that most of my classes have the exact same deadline, so waiting until that night doesn't work for 5 different classes. Almost every night lasted until 1 or 2 in the morning, trying to pull of stupid amounts of work.

I always put an absurd amount of pressure in myself academically. I am slowly learning that a letter grade doesn't define you. As long as you put your best work forward, there is nothing to be ashamed of. I didn't do so well on my first quiz in an abstract-type of class. I failed it actually (Sorry Mom and Dad). However, I spent many hours reading and taking many pages of notes to prepare, so I knew that I had put my best effort into preparing. Guess what? That grade doesn't make me any less of a person, it just proves I'm human and that I will fail sometimes. It didn't even do much to my grade. (I think it moved my overall grade one-hundredth of a point.)

Week 2 is coming to a close, and I'm feeling much better already. I am starting to get back into a routine and managing time better. I am still stressed, but a normal amount now. I missed the routine of school, but boy was it hard to find it back.

Students and teachers of all ages, this is a rough time, but you'll get through it. Learn from mistakes and failure, and make tomorrow a new, better day. You can do this. Have faith in you.