In college you never really hear people "brag" about their grades unless their GPA is 3.5-4.0, in that case, it is probably all over social media.

But I think everyone should know it is okay to be a college student without a 4.0. Yes, that is great if you are doing that well in school, but it is also okay if you are just doing school. Now, Mom and Dad may not agree so much, but as a college student, I understand the effort it takes to do well in school, and sometimes we just have to learn to love that 2.8 or that 3.0. Don't settle for it, but work for it. We may not get all the recognition that the 4.0 students get, but I am here to say, way to go! You may have 'accidentally' snoozed your alarm a couple times throughout the semester, or maybe you forgot to take that quiz that was due at 11:59 p.m. on a Friday night, but heck, you must have done something right if you are still here.

Some people might think it is 'lazy' to just accept an average GPA, but not all of us were born to be honor-roll kids, we can't eat, breath, and sleep school, that is so exhausting. Some of us need that night of binge watching Friends on Netflix in order to survive the rest of the week, and that's good that you can understand what you need in order to get by.

We need to understand that we are all here to get a degree, whether it's in nursing, communication, business, journalism, etc. Whatever it may be, we are all just trying to graduate, so to the 4.0 students, if someone comes around bragging about their not 4.0 GPA, just congratulate them.

I am not bashing on students that are driven enough to have a 4.0, I just don't want students to be ashamed of their grades because they don't. We are all overwhelmed, stressed, exhausted halfway adults just trying to get by so, I say as long as you are showing up and passing your classes, putting in the effort to get that degree, then to hell with that 4.0.

Remember whether it is your first semester or your fifth, don't think your diploma is just going to be handed to you, you do have to work for it. But I also believe you should enjoy college while you are here because it is some of the best times of your life. Go dancing on Thursday night, or to that overrated frat party on Saturday, or just go to a movie with your friends, get your mind off school at some point during the week, it does help. Just learn how to balance the importance of college, and the fun of college. Think about it, if you can do that and have a 2.8 or a 4.0 then all the power to ya, cause some people came had their fun and flunked out.

I am a successful college student, I do not have a 4.0, and yes, I am proud of it.