My College Experience

Character: over-achieving, valedictorian from a small town high school who is used to achieving success.

Location: Texas A&M University, student population (as of fall 2014) – 55,809 on campus.

Dilemma: confronting failure as a small fish in a big pond.

The transition from high school to college was anything but seamless. In high school, I had achieved what I thought was the peak of success at my school. I was valedictorian, state softball champion, regional UIL finalist for math, science and literary criticism, 4 time class officer, president of the German club, vice president of the German Honor Society, active board member of the National Honor Society, acing ALL the AP classes (all because we offered only a handful), church alter server, choir member and youth group leader, tutor and little league coach… I was ON IT. Seriously, looking back, I have no idea how I did it all. I’m not listing all of these accolades to brag, but rather the opposite. I thought I was so prepared for college. How could I not be? I handled EVERYTHING in high school, took all the right classes, I should be good to go. How wrong I was.

Summer of 2014 I set foot on Texas A&M’s campus for my New Student Conference. Bright eyed and full of hope, I made my way from orientation meeting to group introductions and the sweltering tour of campus. Excitement coursed through my veins though for what was to come. As an incoming Biology major dreaming of one day curing diseases as an Epidemiologist, I was itching to meet my professors and advisors. The brightest minds available to guide and shape me in my journey to scientific greatness!

I sat with my mom in a massive auditorium as the biology advisors began their presentation. After brief introductions, the cool air went from refreshing to bone chilling as the head advisor proclaimed, “Well, by the end of your degree, only 30% of you will actually graduate with a degree in biology. Everyone else that can’t hack it will either change majors or drop out. That’s how it is.” I was appalled. The lack of empathy in her voice bewildered me. Didn’t they care about their students? Want them to succeed? It surely seemed that way when they were discussing tuition early today… huh. Well, I’m sure I can make it. Right?

If I had been the person I am now, my attitude and response would have been completely different. Instead, I proceeded the semester with caution. Trying to attend every class and session in a timely matter, staying involved with group boards and collaborative study documents. Afraid of failure, I would procrastinate homework and studying. I figured I could wait and get it done right before it was due, just like in high school, and everything would be fine. It wasn’t.

I ended my first semester with a 2.9 GPA. Not the worst in the world, but for me it was earth shattering. My life was over. There was no way I could bounce back and get into medical or professional school. With proper advising and experienced mentors, I could’ve seen that that was still possible, but instead I was lead to believe that there’s no chance. I’m done. I didn’t want to fight. Maybe college wasn’t right for me.

I am here today to state, no… I was wrong. I did survive. Did I change majors after freshman year? Yes. Because I couldn’t hack it? No. Spring semester of my freshman year, I pulled myself up by my boot straps and earned a 3.89 GPA. No… my passion had changed. I wanted, no, NEEDED to get into education.

My experience, though unfortunate, is not unique. Many students enter college and do not receive or know where to find adequate support and resources to help guide them through their academic journey. I want to end the idea that some kids can’t “hack” college. All learners are capable, they just need a support system to back them and their dreams.