Disclaimer: For those of you that earn 4.0's, this is not intended to dissuade you from what you are doing. This article is geared toward the majority of college students.
Welcome to college, where the parties never end and neither does the homework.
College is a unique time in our lives because we can literally do anything we want, whenever we want with minimal consequences/expectations (within reason). Believe it or not, living on a college campus is like living in a bubble — you're safe, secure, and excluded from a variety of things that individuals who are working and out in the real world deal with on a daily basis — providing for a family, paying insurance premiums, etc.
College is the time to put yourself out there, to join that club that you wouldn't have the opportunity at any other point in your life. It is the time to take Intro to beer, wine and spirits and any other class that peaks your interest. It is the time to find your balance between your social circle, your scholastics and your fitness. It is not the time to be a perfectionist.
What is the number 1 fear of most college students? That they will not find a job out of college or that the job they will be offered will not be sufficient to provide. Engineering and Business majors — sigh of relief. By no means do you need a 4.0 GPA to work for your ideal company, or even be successful with your own start-up.
I had a phone interview recently with a company that I was interested in and I thought the interview went great — only to find out a week later that I was not chosen for the position. I inquired if my GPA had held me back and the H.R representative had indicated that was far from the case — but rather that I was 1 of 75 candidates who was interviewed. She applauded me on my involvement but assured me that another candidate they interviewed appeared to be a better fit, and I respect that. The woman suggested that, generally speaking, individuals who had good GPA (3.0 or higher), who are involved in extracurricular activities and clubs on campus are in much higher demand than those with very high GPA's and less community involvement. Why? Because the former candidates bring passion and well-roundedness to the workplace. I know what you are thinking —Thanks, captain obvious! But before you start rolling your eyes, hear me out.
Investment
Think about the time it would take you to receive a 3.5 based on your current course-load. Now, think about the additional time it would take to have a 4.0. For most students, myself included, that additional time that would be needed would be significant. For you Econ aficionados, that is called an opportunity cost. The time that you forego to study those extra hours would be more efficiently utilized elsewhere — like cheering your pairing on during Greek Week.
Reality
Sorry folks, but the minute you start working full-time NO ONE will care about your GPA. In addition, the information that you will learn will eventually be forgotten, but that one night out with your friends surely won't. Go ahead and get those extra 2 hours of sleep at night, your body will thank you later!
Get it done in the classroom but don't be a perfectionist.
