GPA. Grade Point Average. Almost every student’s arch nemesis.

Now a few of you out there are probably like “I have a 4.0, I don’t really understand what you’re talking about.” But 1) You’re probably in high school or 2) You’re a super smart college nerd and I applaud you. For the rest of us lowly students just trying to make it by, I have something to tell you: You are more than your GPA.

Going into college, I was told time and time again that you need a 3.5 at the very least to get a job once you graduate. Well here I am, towards the close of my first semester senior year, and I do not have a 3.5 GPA. Does that mean I’m any less of a job candidate? I think not. I worked hard, but success didn’t come easy. I’m not a natural test taker and that is reflected in my grades. But it doesn’t mean I didn’t learn in those classes. I could have a conversation about the topics and hold my own.

Know what else it doesn’t mean? It doesn’t mean that employers aren’t looking at my resume. I don’t think I’ve ever been asked to talk about my GPA, to defend why it is what it is. Because employers seem to know that school is hard, they know you can’t define someone by a number. A 3.1 GPA may be the better fit for the job than the 4.0. You just need to show them how hard you are willing to work because that’s ultimately what they want. Don’t let that number define you. Have a 2.9 and act like someone with a 3.8. Take chances and don’t be afraid just because you think having a hard time in school will hold you back from being successful.

Newsflash!

You can be successful not matter what, as long as you want it.

So go ahead out there into the real world and take on some challenges. Show everyone than you're more than you're GPA. You're smarter than it says you are and you are totally willing to prove it. It'll be legen...wait for it...dary!