The infamous exam week has come and gone, final grades have been poster and the semester has drawn to an end. Some are happy with the turnout, others are not so happy, few even post on social media with the thrill of all A's and the dean's list - which is wonderful, it really is. But time and time again I envy those people, as I wish I knew the sweet satisfaction of their success.

Like many people, I work hard in school; I put in the time and trudge through the work, but my grades do not always seem to show it - averaging B's and C's, with the occasional A. The amount of effort I put into school is not reflective of the painfully average grades I receive.

University likes to tell us; 'a C is average' and that is not a bad thing - 'C's get degrees'. But at the same time we are under the consensus that we should strive for the best - that success lies in being the best i.e A's. A's say we know it all, they say we know it best. So, if you don't get the A you are not succeeding as much as you could be - at least in the realm of societal, as well as our own, standards.

As if having the opportunity to be educated at any level isn't enough, I constantly feel pressure to meet a higher standard. My grades say, 'nice try, but you could do better', while my work ethic says, 'live, breath, spiritually internalize my schoolwork'. Sounds dramatic, but it's how I feel a lot of the time. I know I am not the only person who feels this way.

I study very hard, and I am not just saying that. I do not go out and party my nights away, I make a (usually successful) effort to not procrastinate. I make every effort to internalize all the information I learn for exams. I put in extra time to write thoughtful and fruitful essays. I go to class and participate in the lecture, lab or discussion - whatever it may be. I go to office hours and tutoring and utilize the generous and useful tools the university offers. All this, only to be constantly reminded that it isn't exceptional, or above and beyond, as an 'A' is defined.

Whether you think it's our educational systems way of teaching and testing the information, how we, the students study the information, the workload we take on or our very own testing skills, it all doesn't change the fact that it sucks; It's degrading. It tells us, this number is going to say it represents your effort and knowledge, even when it does not. It shouldn't be something as discrediting as it is, as I said before, average is not a bad thing - it's an okay thing. But, no one want's to say they are only 'okay' at something the work so hard at.

So here's to us, the average students. The ones who, even though the grade doesn't show it, will continue to work our butts off. Keep on keepin' on, my friends. Keep on working hard, no matter what the letter grade tells you. Keep on going the extra mile for that B or C average. Because that hard work defines you more than any grade can or ever will.