With finals week rapidly approaching, I've been hearing a lot of talk about numbers. No, not numbers as in calculus (that too though), but numbers as in GPA and test scores. I can't be the only one who's noticed that as society has progressed, we have begun placing an increasingly heavy emphasis on the numerical values in life; GPA, SAT and ACT Scores, number of advanced placement classes, IQ, body weight, clothing size...and the list goes on. It has been readily ingrained into young and developing minds that by keeping these numbers within a desirable range, we are guaranteed success in careers, relationships, and overall well-roundedness. But are numbers really the key here? While it is certainly not a bad thing to aim for good grades and a healthy weight, these numbers become toxic when individuals (young adults in particular) allow their influence to overtake the parts of themselves that truly matter; like their senses of humor, how lovely their smiles are, or how big their hearts are.

And I am no exception to this toxic trend. Having experienced the college application process just a year or so ago, I know how high the pressure is to flaunt an impeccable high school transcript and a 2400 SAT score -- and I tried my best throughout high school to achieve these numbers that were deemed "worthy." But unlike my peers who spent hours spreading themselves thin in order to achieve high scores, I spent a lot of my free time working on bettering myself mentally and spiritually. Don't get me wrong, I didn't completely disregard my schoolwork, but I was never one to cry over a bad grade or pull an all-nighter studying for a test. Because unlike a lot of students I know, I have come to the realization that I am so much more than the grade I receive on a test.

I'm not saying I'm great and that everyone should think like me, but really, this is something I wish more people would hear me out on. There have been times where I've comforted a peer in distress over a poor grade, telling them "it's just one grade, it happens," and having them completely freak out on me, saying something like "how can you not care? my whole college career is on the line!" Sure, your GPA might affect where you go to college, but if you're spending the entirety of your high school career beating yourself up over imperfections, you're missing out on all of the beauty that can be found in making mistakes.

Please, please, remember that your GPA and test grades are in no way a measurement of your worth or potential for success. You are infinitely more than that C on a test -- you are who you love, the things that make you happy, the places you've been, and the people you've touched. Think about it; even if you have a flawless GPA and a 2400 SAT, you aren't going to get very far if your character and life experience is lacking. Embrace imperfection and learn from your mistakes.

Happy finals week, peeps :)