Some Encouragement…

Some Encouragement TO GET PAST THE MIDTERM PIT! (Plus some tips to help you pick your face off of the floor)

There are three stressful times in a college student’s academic life; midterms, finals and senior year. These are the moments in life where one or two things can happen. You’re either right where you’re supposed to be and finishing as strong as you started or you’re falling behind wondering why you didn’t drop this course when you had the chance and stressing about how you’re going to pull your grade up to pass by the end of the semester.  I call this the midterm pit. It’s like you’ve fallen from greatness into a pit of despair and you’re presented with two options. You can wallow in self-pity or find some light at the end of this tunnel! ….pit.

Judgement free zone?

This was me not too long ago. I was so stressed out after midterms for a Math 096 course. Math is my least favorite subject. I had barely passed any quizzes, tests, and finally after studying my caboose off, I flunked the midterm.

So I could either drop this class with a “W” or try and make it to finals with hope in my heart.

I dropped the class *Kanye shrug*

Now I’m not saying this was the best idea. In fact, now I’m certain it was a bad idea.

I say this because I had soooo many options that I didn’t consider to help me get out of the pit. I’m going to share these options with you now!

1. SIT DOWN. BE HUMBLE.

I need you to take a minute to just acknowledge that you need help and you shouldn’t be too proud to ask for it at this point. I know admitting you’re not doing the best in the class can be embarrassing but what’s worse? Admitting you’re not passing at the moment and ending out on top or not passing at all? You will have to be open and accepting to options you didn’t consider before and always always always be grateful for any help you receive.

2. TALK TO YOUR PROFESSOR

I cannot STRESS how this is THE most important thing you can do at this point. Your professor is not some evil educator who teaches for the sake of watching everyone suffer and fail. I promise you, he or she wants to help you succeed. So schedule a meeting with your professor.  Create a plan of action for the rest of the course. Go to office hours to get one on one time and more detailed explanations. Be adamant about wanting to pass. (Who knows, they might show you some mercy here and there).

3. GET A TUTOR

I think when people hear the word tutor they equate it with extra schooling. NEWSFLASH! ! ! That’s EXACTLY what it’s supposed to be people. If you’re in the pit, you don’t have time to debate on if you want to devote extra time to bettering your grades. You should want to and it’s super beneficial for the end goal. Tutors will help you master concepts and spend as much time on whatever topic you need them to until you get it. Can’t afford a tutor? Don’t stress it MC Students! There are tutoring centers all over campus for most courses.

4. LINK

At this point, you have identified who the wiz kids are in the class. Refer to Rule #1. BE HUMBLE! Go and ask for help. See what methods they’re utilizing to pass. Get together and study or do homework. Link up until they get sick of you! You might even gain a friend in the end.

5. BUCKLE DOWN

Now is the time where you’re minimizing screen time, social hour and weekend paloozas for as long as you need until you’re out of the pit. You need to really put in the focus and dedication now and any distraction is enough to keep you down!

6. IT’S OK

In the end, it’s always going to be okay guys! If you’re taking initiative and getting the help you need, then take a breath and remind yourself that it’s all going to be alright. Remember that anybody that you’ve ever looked up to in life have found themselves in a pit at one point in time.

I really hope you guys take this solid advice to get out of your own pits. Quick words of encouragement before I wrap this post up.

College can be stressful but we can all make it guys! We made it this far and it would be a shame to throw in the towel now. We’re all intelligent with goals and plans to make our own amazing paths in life. Remember that “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

-Marianne Williamson