Every semester I find myself becoming completely bothered by the entire midterm exam process. Students spend hours studying, stressing, and hoping the information they are studying will actually be on the exam.

Then comes test day. You give it your all and hope it pays off.

The obvious spikes in stress levels only get worse if you don’t do well. Working so incredibly hard to get a poor grade on an exam can be disheartening.

Students are more than test grades. Most exam grades cannot truly determine how well a student will do in the real world. Not every student learns the same way and not every student is skilled at taking exams. Many college students are balancing multiple classes with other obligations and commitments. Yet these grades, along with your final grade in the course, impacts much more than your spot on the dean’s list.

As a working student, GPA takes a whole new meaning. GPA equates to financial aid, scholarships, and grants. My grades will ultimately determine how much I will have to work to pay for school on top of paying for rent, transportation costs and food.