<p>Yesterday I found out that I received my second B in undergrad, out of about 80 units. I missed the cutoff for an A by just one point. Yes, seriously, one point. Looking at the grade, I was disappointed, especially because it was so close. But taking a step back from myself, I also soon realized just how ridiculous those feelings were to be having. From what I see around me, the competition for graduate school at top programs has become cut-throat, but the circumstances revolving around any individual semester history can contain so much nuance and extenuating circumstance that its unreasonable to expect perfection from yourself, no matter how competitive the market gets and how high your aspirations may go. The B's I have are not even in my major (one in physics, one in psychology), and yet all I could think about was how it might have a repercussion for a reputable school admission. That is a fairly irrational line of thinking. </p>
<p>I believe many have this anxiety about the future. I do not believe we should feel this way, but sometimes you just can't help it. </p>
<p>If you feel similarly, I'd just like to take the time and tell you: Look back on what you've already accomplished. I know the state of academia is anxiety-producing, but achievement is achievement. You should be kind to yourself for all you have done thus far in your life.
It's funny. I graduated high school with a GPA of about 2.7, went to CC (and worked full time for a while), and now I'm going to Berkeley. To me, that is something to be proud of. I wouldn't have ever imagined getting this far a few years ago.</p>
<p>When comparing high school to community college, I was on the same boat as you @Freetofly112.
I didn’t even plan on graduating high school, if you look at my transcripts most of my grades were C, D, and F. It’s funny how much ones point of view can change so drastically in such a short period of time. I always say how funny I find it that the one aspect of school I was always trying to get away from when I was younger, school, is now one of the few things I can’t see my life without. I love having an education. And it is, as you said, hard sometimes to keep that perspective and to keep going because there are so many little things that boggle down the mind but it truly is as you said, no matter what, we need to be proud of all we have done. Congratulations to you for all of your accomplishments and growth! It’s just the beginning, you will go far! I hope you have a wonderful time at Cal.</p>
<p>@AnthroFlo You as well. UCLA and Cal are both great schools. Have you come any closer in making your decision?</p>
<p>@Freetofly112
Not even close. But I’ll get there by June 1st 11:59 pm.</p>
<p>Now that we are already in, lets all convert over to the grad school forums to obsess over admissions hahahaha</p>
<p>Are there really grad school forums @JewBacca?!</p>
<p>^^^ There are grad school forums here, but they’re not very active. I was looking through then a few weeks ago, but they weren’t nearly as useful as the undergrad forums here.</p>
<p>@Freetofly112 It’s really nice to read how you stay positive even though you were just ONE!! point away from an A. I think that really just shows how you’ve grown so much from who you were in high school. Congratulations on your achievements, it’s really amazing and quite inspiring! I am always extremely stressed about my grades and only thinking about the future, but I’ll keep your post in mind and remind myself of how far I’ve come. Thanks!!</p>