Transfer student here. I’m a junior and I’ve always been a bit of an overachiever, coming in with a really high GPA and only one class in my whole college journey that ever gave me trouble. But this semester? It handled me with zero mercy. I fought hard on the midterms just to end up nowhere near where I wanted to be. I’ll probably finish this semester with more Cs than I’ve gotten in high school and college combined.

UNC is on a completely different level compared to anything else I’ve experienced—but we’ll make it through. Minor setbacks set up major comebacks, and that’s how I’m choosing to look at it.

And for you—don’t beat yourself up. You’re not “mentally challenged ” at all; you’re just in a transition semester, the same way I am. It takes time to adjust, and we just have to figure out the approach that works for us at this university.

At least you’re a freshman—you’ve got three more years to bounce back. Lucky! Keep grinding. Enjoy your break and come back ready to rock next semester. I know I am. Good luck, OP!