Is it bad to say that I am glad that I had a rough first semester? Having a rough first semester in college my first year was actually a blessing in more ways than I thought. I was able to gain so many things that I would never have if my first semester would have been perfect. So for all of you stuck doing things like summer classes (ugh me), or if last semester just wasn't the best gem in the jewelry box (also me) or if you're a freshman coming into college who is utterly terrified of what's going to happen when you arrive at college that the first day. Don't fret — I've made a list of why it's actually not too bad to have a rough semester.
1. College is a major change
I just couldn't wait to go and experience it; so on the move in day, I was ready for my mom to hurry up and leave so I could get to know people on my hall without my mom embarrassing me by just loving me. Cherish this moment — yes you're technically a "grown up" but you'll always be a baby to your parents. When you're having a rough semester and you have just pulled an all-nighter so you're breaking down about not passing the exam or wondering why your professor won't raise your 20% to a 100%, the first people you'll want to call is your parents.
2. No curfew!
I took advantage of this whole no bedtime thing. I quickly learned you need to sleep. It's hard to think, much less answer a complicated chemistry question when you've gotten four hours of sleep in three days and are about 10 coffees deep. One more coffee is not going to help you like some sleep would! Don't do it, no more coffee.
3. Questions
When you don't do as well as you think you should have, you (family, professors and everyone in the world) seem to ask questions. Asking questions are important, though. It teaches you how to "adult."
4. There's always another semester
You've got another semester. I think this one is pretty self-explanatory. But one rough semester will not determine the rest of your educational career.
5. Teamwork is Dreamwork
You'll get to meet all types of people. Having a rough semester will send you to the admissions building and financial aid praying your scholarships are fine. This will help you build a team of people who are fighting for you to do well.
6. Question Life
Questioning if taking all of those science classes are really what you're meant to do is good because you'll get to know yourself better.
7. God
If you're like me, you'll question your faith. "Is this what I am really supposed to be doing" is a question that I asked God often as well as "why do bad things happen to good people." This will only bring you closer to this amazing being we get to call father. My favorite Bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11, it got me through my rough semester with God on my team.
8. Resumes
Your resume could actually be helped. Yes, I said, "helped." Being able to discuss why a rough semester actually helped you is a good talking point in an interview.
9. Diamonds
You'll find that diamonds are truly made by pressure. At the end of your college career, you'll be able to see that having a rough semester was just the pressure you needed to become a diamond.
10. Friendships
Your friendships will be deeper because you'll have revealed that you have weaknesses. Your friends will always be there whether it's the group you met at orientation or it's your sorority sisters or even your teammates.
You're not the only one who has gone through a rough semester and you won't be the last either so put your mind to it, kick the next semester in the bum. Live life like Dory, short-term memory loss could be just what you need to be on the dean's list next semester.
