Hey stranger,

I know it has been a while, but you have been haunting me ever since that misleading syllabus day. I, the little over-ambitious, hopeful freshman thought I could handle you, but, boy, was I wrong.

I soon learned that all nighters, cups upon cups of coffee, tears (many, many tears), nervous breakdowns, and frantic phone calls to my parents would become my best friends. They were necessary for learning how to compose the infinite carbon compounds on the pages of my notebook or balance equations.

Thank you for all the awkward after class meetings with my professor. Thank you for making her tell me what I already knew: "Olivia, you just aren't getting this." Thank you for making my spring semester of my freshman year a living hell. Thanking you for teaching me that organic chemistry is not for me. Thank you for teaching me that I am not a science oriented person and that it was probably not best for me to attempt any kind of classes like you in the future. Thank you for making me feel dumb. Thank you for giving me my first bad letter grade.

But, I also want to thank you for showing me some things. I want to thank you for showing me my weaknesses. Without me nearly failing you, I would have kept struggling and making myself miserable in the major that I was in. I want to thank you for making me change my major. I am much happier and I am infinitely grateful to you for that. Thank you for showing me that I am not talented at everything but also for showing me what I am talented in.

Without you, I wouldn't be writing this article or repairing my GPA. I wouldn't be enjoying my college experience and my major. So, thank you for making me confident in the writer and I am and will be. I don't think I would look good in nursing scrubs anyway.