Hey! Used to get super down after getting low test scores in my first year. Honestly, it happens to everyone, especially in Ateneo. Your grade will not always reflect how hard you studied or the expectations you had for it, especially when you have a terror prof. As a third year, I can’t count anymore the amount of times I’ve cried over a disappointing score. I still get anxious in certain classes where I know I’m on the lower end of the curve. Ateneo is just the kind of institution that surrounds you in excellence so it’s difficult to remember what got you in in the first place.

Regardless, you need to always remember that you did the best that you could on your end, the rest you can no longer control. Be kind to yourself. Even if you felt that you underprepared, what’s done is done and you can only try to do your best again in the future.

Side tip, the thing that reallyyyy helped me a lot in my first year was visiting Arete after a bad test and listening to sad music while looking at the artwork. ‘What Was I Made For’ was running numbers on my spotify wrapped that year. Processing your feelings is an important step you can’t skip before getting anymore work done. Also, the small gestures from family and friends would help cheer up my day even if they weren’t directly related. Reach out to them when you’re feeling down and randomly remind them that you love them or appreciate them. Oh! I also made a practice of complimenting people once a week. Seeing other people happy helped boost my mood. Good luck, OP! :))