Another academic year is off and under way. Some of you are freshmen, navigating college life for the very first time. Some of you are sophomores who have the basics down but are still exploring who you want to be. Some of you are juniors, getting into the main core of your major studies. Some of you are seniors, beginning work on the last major projects that stand between you and your diploma. Some of you are doing a victory lap, and we are happy you have you for another year. And some of you are here under completely different circumstances.
We are all in different places in our life, with different personalities and different goals. Not every student is going to be a star in the classroom. One of the greatest parts of Longwood I have found is the ability to learn outside of an academic setting. I have learned so much about how a newspaper operates by working with The Rotunda. I have learned the business aspect of things, how people interact with each other, problem-solving skills, and many other crucial skills by throwing myself into extracurriculars. Look into all the 100-plus organizations Longwood offers you to expand yourself.
The academic setting, however, is the reason we all are here. Even if you are not a stellar student, it is important to make the best of the situations you are put in, and to not let self-doubts get in the way of your success. The first couple weeks of school are always the easiest. Most of us start with going over the syllabus, a "get to know you activity," and the introduction of the textbook, or a similar line-up. Once it gets to the middle of September, the course load starts to pick up,the work gets more difficult, and students tend to start to panic.
I know there are professors out there who are not going to agree with me when I say this, but a GPA is not everything. It's just not. I am not encouraging you to go out and fail all your classes and not care about anything. What I am telling you is to not obsess over your grades. Don't let the need to get an A be so over-consuming you can't enjoy anything anymore. It's okay to not have a 4.0 in college. In fact, most organizations don't even require a 3.0 to be part of them. Don't strive to be the best. Simply walk into the classroom with the goal of learning something new that day.
Also, don't let the fear of not doing well in classes stop you from exploring everything Longwood has to offer. If you are undeclared, take classes and attend seminars in a wide scope of subject concentrations to find what clicks for you. If you do have a major chosen, use your elective credits to explore other classes. Go outside your comfort zone, even if that means you won't be perfect. You will learn more that way and come out better in the end. If you come out with straight A's but have no idea what you learned three months later, a future employer is not going to be impressed.
It is more important to learn, not memorize information. It's important to readand participate in class discussions and activities for the simple sake of expanding your working knowledge and making yourself more appealing to the work force. Intelligence is not simple a number on a scale of 1-4. It is a lot more than that.
There are several classes I have taken and flopped and still know information about. Three recent come to mind: Contemporary Social Problems, International Relations, and State and Local Government. I took all three of these classes during my junior year, and even though my grades in these classes would make you think I knew nothing, I actually did learn from my professors.
I was at dinner with my parents over the summer and my dad brought up something about food stamps. I was able to explain to him how food stamps are now distributed on a card that looks just like a debit card, so anyone who has to use food stamps won't stand out so much. It is a less stigmatizing way for those who need food stamps to use them. Was I able to answer that on my test last fall? Of course not.
I am not sure how we got on thet topic of conversation, but Corey and I started talking about NGOs (which stands for a non-governmental organization). I was able to explain what an NGO was and rattle off several examples on the spot, but when I have to write a short essay answer in the fall, I just could not bring it together.
My third example is State and Local Government. It should have been an easy class. I took government in high school just like almost everyone else and political science is my minor. I know the difference between part time and full time legislation and I told my mom all about it, but during that class discussion I fell silent.
The point of all of that was I am not a stupid person. I know a lot and I've learned a lot while I am here. Just because my GPA doesn't reflect that, I still have a better rounded education because I pushed myself and let myself branch out of my normal realm. I will not graduate with a GPA people would be impressed with. What I am graduating with are the skills and knowledge I need to have a successful career and become a contributing member of society. Personally, I think that is what is most important in college.
If you are really struggling, visit your professors during their office hours or schedule an appointment to get back on track. The library offers many tutoring services and a writing center for your use. The Counseling Center can help you learn how to get organized and manage time properly. If you think you have a more serious problem, consider contacting The Office of DisabilityResources to see if they can assist you. The most important thing, however cliché it may be, is to make sure you are giving your best effort. That is what will make the difference in the end.
