I've always been a really good student. I've consistently had 4.0 GPAs and I put my hardest work into every project I did. I was never an incredible test taker, but that never hindered my class performances. And if it did, I made sure I indulged in some sort of extra credit. This semester, there must've been something in the air, because I was not performing to the best of my ability.

I'm not quite sure what it was, but this semester I have not been incredibly happy or motivated and that has taken a toll on my grades. I'm not in jeopardy of failing any classes, but I am not particularly proud of the work I've been producing. They say that there's some sort of 'sophomore slump,' when you reach your second year of college, but here I am in my third year just searching for some sort of answer as to why I'm feeling like this. I'm taking classes that I genuinely enjoy, I have really incredibly supportive friends, and I have a great job. But something is off and I don't feel like myself.

But the thing that is relieving me is that I think this is okay, I think this is normal. I know I'm not alone here. There is some sort of imbalance in my head and I'm feeling incredibly discouraged, but at the same time, I'm feeling so much more motivated for next semester. And if that one is bad too, then I'll get it right the semester after that. It's okay to feel stressed and under pressure. It's not a great feeling but fortunately, it's not abnormal. Grades don't matter in the long run, it's the knowledge you gain that will take you where you need to go. I'm not bringing my transcript to job interviews or auditions, but I'll be sure to enlighten them of the knowledge I've gained in my 4 years of education. I'll be proud of both the work I've done and how I pulled myself out of whatever rut I'm currently in. I may not be inspired to do my work, but I am inspired to grow.

So no, I'm not going to have that 4.0 come the end of this semester and I'm not going to cry about it. Maybe that's just because I'm so unstimulated, or maybe its just because I'm growing up.