Spring semester just ended and final grades are being posted. This can be nerve racking and teeth clenching for many students. It is especially stressful for those students who had borderline B, C or even D grades in a class or those who had to carefully calculate the lowest grade they needed to make on the final exam to pass. Is this laziness and stupidity? Most definitely not in every case. If you studied your hardest only to be disappointed with a grade lower than an A, I have good news. It is going to be okay.
Remember the one night you decided to go out to the bars instead of staying in and studying? Some of your classmates were at the library slaving away reviewing facts and statistics for an upcoming test. You made a C on the test while they made an A. What a bummer, right? The secret that no one in college will tell you is that, in the long run, that particular grade will not matter. Future employers will look at the big picture and not that you got on a C on your Pol 224 final.
Of course overall your GPA is important, but it is not the only thing. According to a recent survey taken by the National Association of Colleges and Employers the top three skills that make someone employable are teamwork, verbal communication and decision-making. Notice that test taking was not included in the list. Your transcript may be reviewed when you apply for your first job, but after that no one will be interested in looking at it ever again. College is about grades, but life is about experience. And life experience will always outweigh college grades.
One of the most important life experiences is disappointment. Disappointment in life is inevitable. Disappointment teaches you how to rebuild. It helps you realize that what you did is not working. It is time to try something new. Every year "unsuccessful" college students who received a few disappointing grades turn into highly successful members of society. Have you ever heard of Bill Gates? He built one of the world's most successful companies after leaving college at age 20. This does not mean you should lower your goals and not strive for your best. While grades aren't the only key to success, doing your best is. The point is that you do not have to be a top student to have a successful and happy future.
If you have a 4.0, congratulations! If you do not, don't be discouraged. You're going to be okay. There is always next semester.
