An Open Letter to the College Student Taking Midterms
Ricardo Canelo III, MPH
CMHIS Director of Operations at Stanford University School of Medicine
Dear College Student,
I feel you. I am in the same boat as you. I have pulled 3 late night studying sessions in a row and have not slept before 3 AM since Sunday. I have felt really tired, and because I have not had access to my medication to manage my Crohn's disease for three weeks, I feel said fatigue and tiredness so much more. My eyes have circles darker than a raccoon and bags like Prada. I understand where you are coming from.
However, I need you to pull through. I know it sucks; I have to force myself both physically and mentally to get out of bed every single day, contemplating if I can miss class to sleep in a little, just like you do. I am taking Organic Chemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology, two courses known to weed out pre-med students, at the same time. You are worth more than your grades. You are worth more than the grades on your exams. You are worth more than the percentage of your grade that is based on how you do on said exams. You may even fail this midterm, and that's okay. Not knowing whether all of the above is true or whether both choice "B" and "C" are correct does not define your intelligence. You are strong, and if you're a freshman, success does not translate easily from high school and you are learning to better your study habits.
During this period, you may feel like quitting. You may feel like the pressure cooker you are in is worse than anything you could ever imagine, but that is the point. That pressure cooker is reality at its worst, but if you can handle that, you can handle anything. You need to know that in the end, everything will be okay and go back to normal. For right now, you just have to show the world what you are made out of. As long as you are giving your best, you cannot do anything more and you have done more than enough. Some people in your position will quit, but you are strong, so you will not. I believe in you, and I am here for you. Now, go out there and show the world what you can do. When you come back, everything will be okay.
With love,
A college student who needed this message as badly as you do
Paralegal at OCCCRC
8 年<3 Hang in there....I'm with you spiritually always and know that you are doing your very best. It's tough now but just work to your goal of vacation where you can take a break and ease your mind then. If you need an ear for anything, I am always here for you and I'm always proud of you no matter what!