Dear Struggling College Student,

I get it.

I really do.

I'm a college student too.

Since I was in school at Pre-K I've been a straight A, 4.0 GPA student... until this year. My first year at University I had a GPA of 3.96. I was .04 away from having a perfect 4.0 GPA. I was determined to achieve it in my second year. Now I'm in my second year in college and let me tell you, there is no way I'm achieving that 4.0 this year.

And THAT'S OKAY.

I'm the type of student to beat myself up about any grade that isn't an A. I took AP courses in high school, I graduated high school early, I've taken 18 credit hours every semester of college, and I've always maintained those A's. But here I am, at the end of my semester, with a 70% in Microeconomics. I was beating myself up about it because I'm so very close to failing.

But I've done the assignments. I watched the power-points. I took notes. I asked questions to the professor and my peers. I asked for extra help and did not receive any. I studied for hours. And yet, I still did not absorb any of the material.

We're also still in the middle of a pandemic. I did class half online and half in person. There was no routine and that made it extremely confusing.

At the end of the day, I'm proud of myself. I'm proud that I was able to maintain all five of my classes while also experiencing a pandemic, a heartbreak, mental challenges, work, friendships, and just trying to live life.One class, one grade, a GPA, a number, does not define you, your worth, or your efforts.

Everyone is different, everyone learns differently, there is not an "fits all" solution to any education system.

So to my fellow college students who are suffering, it's okay if your not doing well. It's okay if you have to retake a course. It's okay if you don't graduate in four years. It's okay if you have to take a mental health day. It's okay to fail one assignment or one class. There are tons of second chances in life, take advantage of those.

Love,

A Fellow Struggling College Student.