Our point THIS WEEK:

Grades are important, but don’t let school stress you out

Most students know the feeling. You stay up all night devouring energy drinks and caffeinated beverages while slaving away at projects, essays and exams just to receive a less-than-stellar grade.

Your excitement over going back home for fall break is suddenly deadened before you have had the opportunity to enjoy the time off. Once early term grades are posted, you see that your A-plus effort translates into a measly C or worse.

The feeling can be demoralizing to a student’s confidence, and it is easy to allow the situation to wear you down.

What is important to remember, however, is that you are not alone. Ask your friends in class and you will probably find that many students are suffering in silence. No one is immune to the troubles of school.

If you are one of those unlucky students, it is time to take action. For your sake, you should try to do better.

Fixing the issue will be a challenge, but try and make these last two months of the semester as productive as possible.

The first step on the road to recovery is acknowledging the problem at hand.

It takes courage to admit you are struggling and falling behind—but once you own up to it, part of the problem is already solved.

After you have acknowledged that you need help, it is time to go out and seek some assistance.

Students are usually advised to contact their professors when they are not doing well in a course, but some professors will not empathize with a student’s troubles.

If you are a student in this position, it is wise to speak with your peers and see if a friend can help you in class.

If you and the friend still cannot find a way to get better grades, at least you will be able to relate your negative experience to someone else who understands what you are going through.

To remind you again, you are not the only one that needs help. There is comfort in knowing that most students struggle to achieve high marks.

Additionally, there are other options for students to consider if they want to resolve academic issues.

In some cases, albeit extreme, it may be wise to withdraw from a course as opposed to accepting a failing grade. If you do not feel comfortable making this decision alone, contact your academic advisor and see if they can help you alter your schedule.

The Learning Resource Center in Jordan Hall also provides tutors and study tables for numerous subjects.

But above all, students should realize that, while grades are certainly important, a point average cannot define you as a person. Do not let your grades, good or bad, dictate your stress levels.

In life, sometimes you will succeed and sometimes you will fail miserably. How you handle difficult situations will be the true test of character.

One grade in one class cannot measure your worth as an individual. One grade in one class cannot measure your potential to do extraordinary things after graduating from Butler.

Live and learn, ignore the desire to regret and remember there is a lot more to life than a 4.0.

Cartoon by Audrey Meyer