As a sophomore at Indiana University, I know how it can feel to have bad grades and academic pressure weighing you down. During my freshman year, I grew anxious over how difficult the transition was from high school to college. I was not prepared, and, honestly, that is completely normal.
I believed my grades defined me — meaning I couldn't accomplish anything without A's. My freshman year classes were more academically challenging than what I was prepared for, especially Finite Math. Even with all the tutoring and countless hours working towards grasping the concepts, I was still failing the class, which took a mental toll on me and affected my performance in other classes.
I finally withdrew from the class just a week before the final, knowing that no matter how well I performed on the test, I would not be able to pass the course. I realized I wasn’t on a path that worked for me, so I decided I had to change my major. In doing so, I grew more uncertain of my future than ever before.
Looking back now, none of my supposed shortcomings or uncertainties were really that big of a deal. Changing my major and joining The Media School was the best thing I could have done for myself. I finally found where I belonged, joined more clubs and started enjoying the work I was doing for classes. Although I found more fulfillment in my academic work, I continued struggling to get the grades I was aiming to achieve.
Having bad grades continued to tank my ability to maintain a positive mindset, so I started listening to podcasts such as A Better You and The Positive Mindset Podcast — allowing me to develop and embrace a growth mindset. Growth Mindset is the concept that a person’s abilities aren’t fixed and can be improved upon by their effort and persistence through how someone adapts from an experience.
One must exercise to gain body muscle. Our mind is like a muscle — you must practice and exercise your mind to start gaining progress toward a growth mindset. I believe that everything in my life happens for a reason and all the hardships I’ve gone through shouldn’t be viewed as setbacks, but rather an experience I overcame to be stronger.
Your grades are not something that permanently define who you are but rather the progress you are in the process of making. We can apply this concept to the often unpleasant feelings and stress that come with the home stretch of the school year. Some of your grades may not be what you want them to be, but that doesn’t mean you are incapable of change. Nothing is ever too late to work on and do better at. All it may take is one email or one completed assignment to bring yourself closer to the end goal.
It may seem daunting, but there are small steps you can take to get yourself to where you want to be, even on a time crunch. One method I have been practicing is the 10-minute rule. When thinking about doing all the work that needs to be done becomes overwhelming, open your computer, set a 10-minute timer, and begin doing your work. Once those 10 minutes are over, set another timer. Since you are already doing the work, you might as well do another 10 minutes — small, unnoticeable steps eventually create significant progress.
Another way I like to practice my growth mindset is by starting my day by journaling. You can write on the notes app on your phone or get yourself a physical journal. Personally, I have a physical journal where I can put down my thoughts and feelings onto paper, which brings my mental thoughts into physical words. Whatever you write doesn’t have to be long or even a full page. Write down things that make you feel happy and grateful. Sometimes I falter and feel like journaling is a chore, but I always remind myself that I get to do this rather than I must do this. Writing down my thoughts and feelings helps me start my day off in a positive manner that can carry on throughout the day.
A part of life is learning how to grow and adapt with the circumstances you are in. You can grow through the difficult parts of life and come out in the end even better than before. Some things may seem impossible to overcome, but with time, everything will unravel. Stay afloat and practice gratitude through the times where it can feel suffocating. You can direct your path through the choices you make regardless of how big or small they may be. Grow through your experiences and learn the ups and downs of what you have been through and how you have felt.
Anna Siver (she/her) is a sophomore studying public relations.
