First things first, you are not a failure. Going into a new semester, you have goals that you set for yourself. “I’m going to get a 4.0,” “I’m going to attend every class,” “I’m going to participate.” This is a good thing. Setting goals for yourself is something that studious students do. But sometimes we don’t achieve these goals. And that’s okay.
As we have all learned by now, life doesn’t always go as planned. Sometimes classes are a lot harder than we anticipate them to be. You study and study and study but don’t get the grade you want. You may feel like studying is pointless because you didn’t do as well but you tried. That is the most important thing. Often you’ll hear “as long as you tried your best” and it most likely goes in one ear and out the other but sit back and really think about that statement. Your best is the best. You cannot do any more than your best.
“My best isn’t good enough.”
Not true.
Your best didn’t get you an A? Fine. Maybe you didn’t click well with that professor or the material was tough to comprehend. But that doesn’t mean you aren’t good enough or you are not intelligent. You made it this far so trust me, you are smarter than you give yourself credit for. A grade doesn’t define your best.
You missed a class or two? Okay. With work, late night study sessions, and balancing life in general, it can be exhausting. Remember missing a class to catch up on sleep for your well-being isn’t a crime despite what others may tell you.
You didn’t participate as much as you wanted? Alright. Whether it be anxiety, didn’t know the answer, or just didn’t want to raise your hand, it’s alright. It’s normal to feel nervous about giving your input on a discussion topic or saying an answer you are 50-50 on. You are afraid that you are going to make a fool of yourself. Trust me, you won't. As soon as your classmates leave the classroom, your answer is forgotten. If you raise your hand, that’s awesome. Keep it up. If not, there’s always another opportunity.
If you are a senior, you have the working world waiting for you and your goals. If you are still a student, next semester awaits you and your motivation. Sometimes things don’t go our way. Sometimes we slack. We are human. It’s normal.
Figure out what worked and didn’t work for you this semester. Take this winter break to make a game plan for the next semester. Whether you have to wake up an hour earlier, have to begin studying way ahead of the test, or learn to accept that you might not always have the right answer, figure it out and conquer next semester. Your goals are waiting.
