Jan 08 2009
Failing my way through my first semester at school
On August 26th, my mother and I made the 4 hour journey to Colchester, VT, where I embarked on the journey that I like to refer to as “the beginning of the beginning,” college. Since the day I received the acceptance letter, I knew that St. Michael’s College was the place for me. I loved the campus, the people were extremely pleasant, and I could play lacrosse. I figured there was no downside to the situation. It was the day I had dreamed about since the first day I entered through the doors at Catholic Memorial High School. As soon as I arrived, I was greeted by some of the nicest people you will ever meet, and found myself making friends left and right. My roomate was great, and is still a very close friend today, along with most of the other people I had grown to know and love throughout the first semester. As the semester went along, I had so much fun, and enjoyed everything about the school. Everything, that is, except the schoolwork. I know that I am not alone in saying that schoolwork sucks. However, it must be done, and there’s no way around that. Unfortunately, that realization came too late. After my first semester, I had a GPA of .73 and had failed a class, and needless to say, my other grades were not too good. Again, I pushed this problem aside and tried as hard as I could to hide from it. This Christmas break, however, it came full circle. In an email and a call from the Dean of Students, I found out that the Academic Review Board had voted to dismiss me from the college. I could not go back for the second semester. Although I had a feeling that it was coming, I was devistated to say the least. And although I did not show it outwardly, it has already had a huge impact on me. For example, it is 3:06 in the morning and I have not slept. That’s how it is most nights for me recently.
It took me a while to face my mistake, but I eventually (and hopefully for good) realized that I had to do whatever necessary to prove that the first semester there was not an accurate portrayal of me as a person or student. I got good grades in high school, barely even opening a book. School has always come easy to me, and although it seemed like a God-given gift at one time, it has now become quite a problem. Here’s a piece of advice for anyone who is going through high school just like I did, easily and barely needing to open a book:
YOU CANNOT BULLSHIT YOUR WAY THROUGH COLLEGE LIKE YOU DID IN HIGH SCHOOL.
End of story. That is one life lesson that you have to know. Unfortunately for me, that lesson came a little too late. Now, I am trying to get a job to pay for classes at a local college. However, the terms of my dismissal state that if I take approved classes (approved by the registrar’s office at St. Mike’s) there is a chance of readmission. So as I lay here tonight (or this morning), I am vowing to myself that I will do whatever is necessary to get back there. I realize that I do not want to give up all that I have come to know and love at St. Mike’s because of my own stupid mistake. Therefore, I am doing what it will take to make sure that I do not blow this opportunity if it does offer itself to me once again.
