When people hear the term probation they automatically assume it's bad, without even thinking twice about what it could mean or do for the person on probation. I use to think academic probation was the worst thing that could happen to a student. But my second semester of my freshman year, I got myself on academic probation.

When people find out, their first response is "oh I'm so sorry, how'd that happen?" and I would tell them the truth about what happened and that I didn't care at all last semester. Then, in that moment, I see the look on these people's faces, like they feel so bad for me. I always wondered, "why do you feel so bad when I put myself here in this position?" That's when I realized, people don't get what a great thing has happened to me.

Being on academic probation has shown me something that I never realized before; I did have the drive to do well in college. As everyone says, college is so different from high school but I never realized it until I got here. Last semester I struggled with wanting to hang out with friends and doing the actual work for class, but ever since I got put on academic probation, I have finally found the balance that I need.

The opportunities that have come before me are amazing. Now I have friends who can keep me in check, I go to the library, I talk to more people in class, and lastly I am slowly becoming more involved with the school that I love. This semester may have just started, but it is still starting off so much better than the last. I am so much happier than I was.

I would not recommend that people intentionally get themselves on academic probation because, well, that is probably not the brightest idea. But the point of this whole article, or at least my hope is that people will find their drive to thrive at what they do best as well as see that the "bad words" aren't so bad. The best learning experiences for me came from when rock bottom hit and I was face first in the pavement. Always strive for the best and it will come.

So the next time you hear something that you think of as "bad" and the person is happy, look at why it makes them happy. You can always change your perspective on life. Don't ever forget, rock bottom is where people thrive.