We are now at the end of 6 weeks into college and there have been plenty of assignments given, notes taken, and of course tests that we were all dreading. As most college students know, college and high school do not follow the same structure whatsoever, even the way tests are given and those tests are fairly different than those in high school. Most of us in the beginning of the semester, and this rings true in the fall also, that we will study our butts off and be the best students that we can be and will get straight As. Yet, once syllabus week is over we go back to the half-ass students that we truly are. So as the first test comes and go, we tend to neglect the fact that studying actually needs to be done, and then we usually more times than not bomb the first test. You feel like crap, think your college career is over and there's no light at the end of the tunnel. Fear not! There are plenty of things to get over this bombed test!
1. Breathe
This is not the end of the world, nor the end of your semester. Getting a bad grade isn't exactly the most fun, but it's not the worst thing either. We all do not meet our usual standards and it is a human thing to do. All you got to do is breathe and slow down, think to yourself, "This is one small bump in the road, and I can do better next time." That's all you can do is try better for the next test.
2. Binge your favorite show
There is a lot of mediums we can use to relax and get over bad times, especially when getting a bad grade. Try and watch something that will lift your spirits, even if it is something as heartbreaking as Grey's Anatomy, you will feel better after watching a show you love.
3. Listen to Music
Music is one of the best stress relievers for most people, it is there as a comfort for most situations. If you are so strung up about this test grade, there is a playlist to help you cry it all out and get back to dancing through your days. One of my personal favorite streaming sites is Spotify, with a huge collection of almost everything except one blonde pop singer. There is so many genres to listen to and get out all the sad 2007 emo or all the real life 90s rap.
4. Hang out with friends
There is no better support system than your friends and family, most of them knows exactly what you're going through, even if they themselves didn't go to college. Any test in any form is stressful and not doing well can be felt across multiple occupations. Go out with your friends, talk on the phone about what you're feeling, have a group binge night, grab some pints of ice cream. No matter what you do, it will be with people you love and who love you.
5. Prepare for the next test
As much as you don't want to think about this test, the next one might seem even more horrifying. The good thing is, you know what went wrong this first time, and can better prepare yourself for the next one. Whether it was you didn't study at all, very little, or even didn't understand the material, there are other students who might have felt the same way. Make a study group, find people you can tolerate enough to sit and study with, maybe highlight your notes, put your own thoughts into what is being discussed. Meet up with the professor and ask any questions you have, the best thing you can do is fully understand the material that will appear on the test.
All these ways to get over your test grade are going to be the best therapy, remember, this isn't the end of your educational career. This is just a small bump in your life, in 4 years you won't even remember that this test happened. So just breathe and know that the bad grades come and go, but only you can choose to let it affect you enough to hinder your mood. Let life happen.
