Getting A 'C' In College Showed Me Education Is More Than Memorizing Facts | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
College

After Earning A 'C' In College, I Learned That Education Is More Than Just Memorizing Facts

C's get degrees, am I right?

144
textbooks

I have always been a good student. Throughout high school and college, I have earned A's and B's consistently, and my friends and family knew me for making such grades.

But then the fall of sophomore year of college hit me like a train.

I came into the semester thinking I would be able to manage working as a community leader (or an RA for my non-Baylor folks) and finally reach my goal of making the Dean's List by earning a 3.7 GPA. Last semester I was .02 points away from earning that prestigious award, and I was determined to earn what I was so close to.

As I adjusted to the new year, I prioritized my CL job before academics, and my grades showed it. I was falling behind in classes and not putting the 100% effort that I always gave to my academics. I never had a job before this year, and because it was something that I truly love and was passionate about, I didn't put too much focus on my classes.

That is a problem when you're stuck in a majority of basic classes that are required to earn a degree from a college. You are forced to take four English classes and learn about old Shakespeare plays and three science classes with labs. I'm a journalism major, not anything science related, so the idea that I have to spend 12 credit hours learning about rocks and space is not worth my time.

Nevertheless, I ended up with my first C in college. I couldn't bear the fact that it would tear my GPA apart from my normal 3.6 to barely a 3.0 for the semester. I was terrified for a moment that I would lose my academic scholarship, crying at the thought of not being able to pay off my semester bill.

However, I don't regret earning a C in British Literature one bit. Sure, it hurt me academically and emotionally, but it has taught me so much about the value and importance of my education. If you know me at all, you know that my education is one of my top priorities. From a young age, my parents instilled in me a work ethic that I put in towards school. My parents didn't force me to get a job in high school because my job was to earn good grades.

Education is important to me, but when I'm in class and I'm learning to memorize plot lines for a book or the minerals in rocks for a test, I'm not actually learning. Yes, I am learning information that is teaching me skills that I can use for the rest of my life. But the information I am trying to learn is not being retained.

I'm also more than just my GPA. Ten, 15, or 30 years down the line, my boss isn't going to care that I earned a C the fall semester of my sophomore year. They will care about my experiences and my ability to do my job well. A silly number is not going to define my future.

The most important lesson I learned by earning a C in college is time management. I put too much time into my job, taking time to make sure my residents had an amazing first semester of college. I cared more about my job rather than my academics and my future.

Now that I have earned a C, I feel more prepared than ever to do better, work harder and finally get on the Dean's List. C's get degrees, but I pray to God that this is my first and last C ever.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

123713
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

27185
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

25425
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments