Have you ever studied for hours on end, to finally be able to say " I think I'm going to do great on this exam!" and when you get your exam back you got a 60%? Yeah, me too. Are you attending every class, doing every homework, and still getting bad grades? Yeah, I get that, you aren't alone. Tons of students feel like they're meant for college, and tons of students find out they aren't or need to find a better way to do better.

I've always wanted to go to college, ever since I was a kid. I dreamed of being a paleontologist. I am now an archaeologist and anthropologist. I loved college my first year and a half. Halfway through sophomore year, I started to crumble. I got back on my feet. This fall semester of junior year is kicking my butt. I can't focus, can't retain information, no matter how hard and long I study, I can't get a good grade on exams. I am frustrated, I feel like a failure.

But, as I've come to notice, it's not always your fault. Some classes are harder than others. Some classes have professors that aren't great teachers (Crazy right? I know.) As a Junior, I've had my fair share of classes, some professors are great teachers and others just care about the paycheck. Again, it's not you. You need to realize that it's not your fault. I mean, If you aren't trying then that's definitely an issue, but if you're trying your best, that's all that you can do.

Don't put yourself down because you aren't getting the marks you want. Don't sacrifice your mental health for the marks you want. Don't sacrifice your social life for the marks you want.

You can't blame yourself for not understanding the material. Not everyone can retain information after reading or seeing it only once. You aren't some traditional student that college and schooling were based around. Everyone has their own way of learning, and just because you don't fit the "standard" mold, doesn't mean you can't learn.

Keep your head up, stay focused, try different methods of studying. But don't lose yourself in the process, don't let traditional methods of learning make you feel inferior. In reality, you are the superior learner because you can learn in other ways, promoting brain growth!

You are amazing, don't forget that!