Yes, you heard that correct! I got an F in college! I haven’t always had a perfect record, but it has always been my priority to earn more A’s than B’s, while never truly earning less than a B. I felt like college was challenging, but my hard work always paid off in the end. I never thought that I could actually see an F on my transcript.
Macroeconomics, Junior year. I never thought it would be this way. I was mildly interested in this topic, and I found it to be actually useful and applicable to real life. However, something in me just wasn’t clicking in this class. 8:30am was always too early, the professor was too aggressive, and my exams were always C’s and D’s. And, to top it off, I did what every focused student does: skip the final exam. What was happening to me?
I was losing myself. I was losing sight of my goals and dreams for the future. I was in an unhealthy relationship, and I wasn’t taking this semester or myself seriously at all. The F was truly a reflection of the status of my life in that moment. No, it didn’t need to be that way, but I was losing the spark that always kept me focused on the end result.
So, what did I do?
I sucked it up. I took the F. I knew I deserved it, but it sure didn’t define me or my future. I hated myself for a few days, hid the grade from my parents (until they eventually found out), and laughed it off (half-heartedly). I took a good look at the state I was in at that moment and told myself that I needed to make a change in my life.
I broke off that unhealthy relationship, and immediately enrolled in the class again, with a different instructor, of course. I took a good look at my personal and professional goals and realized that my vision was not clear. I had no idea where I was going. I met with professors and asked for professional advice. I looked at potential career paths that looked exciting. I ended up acing the class the second time.
Now, I always look back at that semester with disbelief. How did I ever do so poorly? I am somewhat grateful for that semester, though. I learned more about who I was, where I wanted to go, and who I wanted to be. I even made the decision to apply for law school! I had to work my butt off, but I knew that I could make it. Sometimes, it takes an F to turn your life around for the better.