I have so much to talk about for my first semester at SIUE, because it was crazy and hectic, with various emotions flowing through.
To start off the beginning of the semester I was very motivated and inspired. I was ready to start college on a high note, and to tackle each assignment and give 110% in all that I do. During the first month all was going well, I was doing well in all of my classes and then came my first chemistry exam. I studied so much for that exam, I woke up the morning of my exam confident, 0 regrets, ready to eat that exam up. I was for the most part excited to take it because of how confident I was feeling. During the exam I felt good, when I turned it in, I felt like I got at least an A. I was so excited to get my exam back the following week, when I got it I excitedly opened it up to only find out I got a 68%. I was absolutely confused and devastated at the same time. I felt absolutely horrible, disappointed, and very very confused. For the rest of the hour I was just thinking back to when I was taking the exam and trying not to start crying during lecture notes. Right as soon as I get out of my class, I start crying and I happen to run into one of my friends, and I explained why I was feeling this way. It was the fact that my entire life I have been a straight A 4.0 GPA student, and I studied so hard, so very hard, for this exam and I could not believe I got a 68. I was just thinking that this isn’t me… what did I do wrong? How did this happen? How did I let this happen? The one thing that scared me was that I studied so hard and despite all the preparation I did I didn’t even get a good grade.
Leading up to midterm, I tried different study habits, but the main factor that screwed me up bad was time management. Time management between schoolwork and my friends really got the best of me, and I suffered the consequences because of that. I messed up time management bad that I dug myself in a hole, and I had to work like hell to get out of it. It was not easy at all, it was extremely stressful and difficult, but I made it. It’s the end of the semester, and I learned so much along the way. I now know what I need to do for next semester to stay on top of all my assignments, and how to manage my time effectively where I can spend time on my homework AND ACTUALLY UNDERSTANDING IT… and having fun with my friends.