<p>I believe my story will be an encouragement for those of you who have trouble with language and culture during your first semester at graduate school. Even though it happened to me two decades ago, such "disguised blessings from God" may happen to you. I also posted this story under cc's "Graduate School" section several days ago.</p>
<p>Is it End-of-the world while getting a C in graduate school? Absolutely not! As long as you </p>
<p>In the late 80s, at the age of 24, I came to the US, the land of opportunity, to obtain a graduate degree in the field that I am really interested in. Like many foreign students from non-English Speaking countries, I struggled in express myself verbally so I had a difficult time during the first semester. My academic advisor Dr. M, who was very impatient about my English, gave up on me and eventually I received a C for his class. In this decent private university I attended, to get any scholarship was very competitive and depended heavily on professor's research grants. Instead of getting me (his student) scholarship, Dr. M closed the door on me and I barely survived (C=2.0 in GPA calculation and any course with a C grade could not be counted as credits hours toward graduation in Master of Science programs). Was I a bad student? At first I had such a doubt in my mind, but not until I spoke with chairman of another department in my cross-disciplinary program, Dr. E, a well-known professor in our field. I still remember the encouraging words from him that day: </p>
<p>I remember you. You took two courses that I taught last semester. And you aced both of them. </p>
<p>I understand your English without any problem. </p>
<p>I have a southern accent; too I will be very pleased if my Chinese is as good as your English. </p>
<p>Dr. M has no plan on you, but I do. Welcome to the team (family)! </p>
<p>Who said students with a C in their master programs are doomed. Work hard and study
hard; you can make it. </p>
<p>Five years after this, I invited Dr. E to participate in my doctoral dissertation committee for the oral defense at my second graduate school (a prestigious one) located on the East Coast. I not only survived but also made it all the way. Indeed, I was deeply indebted to Dr. E. Without him, my academic career will be a short one and I wont be able to go this far. After all these years, his firm, caring and encouraging voices still echo in my ears:</p>
<p>I will be very pleased if my Chinese is as good as your English.
Welcome to the team (family)!
Who said students with a C in their master programs are doomed. Work hard and study hard; you can make it.</p>
<p>Is it End-of-the world while getting a C in graduate school? Absolutely not! As long as you keep working hard and studying hard; commit and engage yourself with the professor who really cherishes (likes or has confidence in) you; you can make it. </p>
<p>Thank God for sending Dr. E to help and guide me while I was walking through a very dark valley.</p>
<p>That's my story. What is yours?</p>