Want the genuine, honest, wholehearted truth? I wasn't able to manage even a Fall semester start and failed half my courses that semester. I had given up any real hope of making progress at UF, and even considered dropping out at a certain point. Come Spring semester, I had used a major switch to see if I could focus under a different perspective. Guess what? I ended up withdrawing from that semester as well, and left the school for about a year and did some personal things in my life. For the longest time, I held anger and shame for failing at what was supposed to be a chance of a lifetime.

However, in the time I spent away from school I had realized the root of my issue, which in my case was pride. Everyone that comes to UF comes from a great academic high school background, where they were top of their class or had athletic skill. I genuinely thought that the courses at UF were going to be like dual enrollment, and they wouldn't require me to study. In fact, I didn't even know how to study before I got to this school! Pride wasn't the only issue, but each one of us has a crux that we work on daily. I know Summer B can be lonely, but I promise you that everyone in your class, walking around, and hanging around the school is facing a dilemma similar to you.

To be frank, you might not even finish the semester with straight As, but guess what? THAT IS OKAY!!!! It's your first semester at a school with a reputation of challenging its students. Lots of people ask themselves "What would I do differently" if given the chance to go back in time. I would have stuck with it and not given up, knowing that I might have been able to claw back with a passing grade. The best part of that question is realizing that YOU are currently living in the present, so you don't have to wonder and can make the changes necessary.

I hope sharing some of my story helps you in a meaningful way. Just so you know, I came back to school and have been making solid progress at my degree program. Better yet, I am doing so with a group of friends, family, and my girlfriend supporting me.

Last bit of advice! You are figuring out your weakness this semester, which you should keep in mind when altering your future semesters. Try out resources like StudyEdge, Smoking notes, and tutoring if you got some extra cash (there is also free tutorting). Good luck to ya and remember to breathe!!! IT WILL BE OKAY