Why You Shouldn't Let Grades Get in the Way

Before starting college, it’s hard to know what to expect. As an 18-year-old about to enter a completely new environment, questions about the future constantly spun around in my head. What classes will I take? What will I major in? Who will I become? Were some things I considered.

College is a lot to take in as a freshman. A common feeling people on college campuses share is being overwhelmed. While this can be a good precipitator for growth, since it allows students to push themselves academically, in the long run, it can also bring about feelings of doubt.

As the semesters continue, the paths of our futures become narrower and the topics we study become more individualized and pertinent to our interests. Classes become harder and stress likewise grows, but, if you really want to, you can push that stress away.

Balance is an extremely important part of life. There are many different aspects surrounding what people do and what they care about. Balance is what determines everything in an individual’s life to matter equally.

“Balance your life in a way that allows you to get your work done but also enjoy yourself,” said sophomore business major Brian Hutton. “At our age, we always have so many things to do, so learning how to balance it all lets us really focus on what matters.”

There is so much more to college than grades. The University of Maryland is a mere 25 minutes away from Washington, which allows for experiences that many college students never get to have. Also, with about 30,000 undergrads on this campus, there are plenty of people to meet and form lifelong relationships with.

“I don’t care about grades because my parents never really cared or got upset over my scores. They just encouraged me to have meaningful experiences instead,” said sophomore family science major Talula Miller. “I grew up traveling, volunteering and being involved in things that helped me form good relationships with people. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

The environment you live in and the people who surround you are what shape you into being the best version of yourself. The four years you spend at university will alter your opinions, strengthen your views and fortify your strength.

While it is important to study in school, spending hours on one assignment is not always necessary. Who you are as a person is what will have the most value in your life following these four years.

The real world is nothing like a math exam where there is only one correct answer. It’s more of a novel that has thousands of pages for you to write on, erase, and then scribble on some more.