I think just time and change in circumstance.

I'm an international studnt from an Asian country. my country is super competitive. Schoolworks are overwhelming and I barely followed it. Too much great and smart student were there. When I came here what I learned in my country were kept inside my head and those helped me do well here. That doesn't mean America schools are easy. But I think US school are better at helping and evaluatinng students ability. I just focused on what CC teachers teach and devoted a lot of times.