Midterms

First midterms are in full-swing at the Academy, and that entails late nights and several daily coffee runs. Although very stressful, there is a slight feeling of pride that comes during this “mini” finals week. We are now given the chance to showcase the knowledge we’ve gained over these past five weeks, and are able to make our parents, professors, and selves proud. At the very least, if an exam doesn’t go as well as expected, we then know how to adjust to being better prepared for the next one.

One of the best and ever-present aspects of Gatton is adjusting, and in regards to academics, adjusting to a rigor that many of us have never even experienced a fraction of. In my time here, I, along with every other student, have faced some form of academic setback. However, there is much to be learned about ourselves, our attitudes, and our potential based on how we decide to react to them. The most successful students I know have taken their failures and used them to increase their work ethic and perfect their study strategies, rather than wallow in them and make no effort to overcome.

Although this week may be rough, we are all in this together. The stress is so much more bearable when you are surrounded by a community of 200 other students that are eager to help you study, encourage you to work harder, and be a support if something goes wrong. I wish all of my fellow students luck this week, whether they’re preparing for their first Organic Chemistry exam, ballet technique evaluation, or electrical engineering group project.

 

I should get to studying too!

 

Evan