During my time at the Mount, I’ve had many obstacles that have shaped me into the student that I am today. In this blog, I share the strategies that I take when dealing with some of those obstacles and how they are helpful for your performance as a college student.
This week I faced a challenge in a course that I am currently retaking this semester: I received a grade for our first writing assignment that I was not happy with. When I first saw the grade, I was discouraged because I felt confident in my work and believed that I would receive an A.
After seeing my grade, I first asked myself what I could do about it and what were the possible outcomes. In past semesters, I would usually let my discouragements like this one get the best of me and take the failing grade. I know now that if I wasn’t happy with the grade I received, I must do something about it.
The strategies that I took helped me because I got the desired results. I became more comfortable speaking up, having a better relationship with my professors, and handling matters when dealing with conflict. Coming into the Mount as a first-year student can be challenging because you are blindsided to some extent. You’re in a new atmosphere, and you’re learning things on your own while having the help from staff and faculty, but you must initiate conversations when you need help.
Specific strategies that I took that helped me were emailing my teachers and following up with them face to face. I often struggled to ask for help or questions because I worried too much about my professors denying me. I also felt seeking clarity made them feel like I wasn’t paying attention because I often misunderstood directions or was unsure about topics in that class. Once I broke down those barriers that I'd built up, it gave me confidence and let my teachers know that I was willing to learn and eager to succeed in the course.
From a first-year student to being a senior, I have grown out of the small shell I once was in. I learned through my mistakes of not speaking up and not letting the fear of intimidation control how I handled my issues. It is essential to speak up, especially about your grades. To do that, getting to know your professors is necessary while being comfortable to speak up peacefully. Having confidence and putting yourself out of your comfort zone is a vital stepping stool that can help you navigate through any obstacles you face in life.