I’ll be the first to admit that college is not easy and that year by year it gets more difficult. I’m not afraid to admit that I have been struggling and I know that there are other people fighting their way through school as well. This article isn’t meant to be an excuse or to tell you that failing a class is okay, but it is a reminder that your GPA doesn’t define you.
When I picked Nursing as my major, I knew that it would be difficult. I already prepared myself for the inevitable all nighters and countless hours in the library, but I did not prepare myself for the emotional abuse I experienced every time I went to take an exam in classes such as Anatomy and Physiology or Chemistry. Book smart was never something I was described as and that’s okay, every single person has a different strong point and no one is better than the next.
This won’t come as a surprise to most of my fellow college students, but after looking at my overall grades for the semester, I began to question my major choice. Becoming a nurse seemed impossible and I was ready to quit. I balanced pros and cons of sticking with Nursing and ultimately the pros outweighed the cons dramatically. I came to realize that all the sleepless nights and tears shed over textbooks were nothing compared to the feeling I could get when saving a child’s life.
For years I let obstacles stand in my way of what I wanted. I let my fears and doubts take over and I gave up on things that I could have achieved with a little more courage and a little more work. It is so easy to let your negative thoughts consume you as it is easier to think negatively and give up, than to think positively and haul ass to the finish line. Over the past few years I have realized that I can’t afford to keep thinking negatively and I refuse to let anything, even college, stand in the way of my dreams.
It is so easy to get discouraged and feel as if you are continuously pushing yourself and studying but never seeing any results in your favor, but I promise one day it will all pay off. I’m not just saying that to remind everyone who is reading this but to remind myself as well. Positive thinking is so important and looking at the bigger picture instead of focusing on all the small things going wrong will help you get through these tough times.
It’s okay to have bad days and it’s okay to admit that you’re struggling. Never ever be afraid to ask for help, whether it be from peers, professors, or outside resources there are so many people that will root for you. I’m rooting for you to kick college’s butt and live out your dreams. Failure and obstacles are all part of the process to get you where you need and want to be.
