I got in Somehow - Now I'm Worried!!

Faline2
Mon, 21 Apr 2008 10:01:26 +0000

interview a few docs and lawyers in your acquaintance…and engineers and you will be hard put to find someone who never made a C.
You will have to fight for your grades at Vandy and for the key courses, you may have to sacrifice your full social life, attend every single small tutorial group and ask for help or even pay for some private sessions. The point is, they think you can do it. And you can do it.

The kids who make all As are different. This is the way it is at highly selective schools. You are going to meet the people who A. are hugely gifted at another level or B. You are going to meet people who are shrewd about study habits and know how to get the job done.

The category A kids…profs and students know who they are. I hope those people are operating on my brain if I need surgery and I hope they find their proper places in society. That doesn’t mean you don’t also belong if you make a C here and there. My son at Duke is among savants and all shrewd students and he has learned to cope with it and be happy among them and to admire and appreciate his friends and their talents. He did drop one course his freshman year which was an expensive mistake…did great in it the next semester…and he learned to study better and got healthier and more disciplined. You already have shown your moxey. Try to get each class right the first time. Admire the gifted and don’t spend time envying those who had fantastic high schools. Learn from them instead and watch their habits. You can compensate.

You will graduate with a highly respected degree and a score of fantastic friends and there is always a place out there for another sharp person like yourself. Dig in. Be proud of yourself. Let your anxiety work for you and motivate you. Don’t make the freshman mistakes. Tolerate a little loneliness as normal as you transfer in and feel your way socially. Join a group or two.

Vanderbilt chose you out of a pool of excellent students. Enjoy your three more years! You earned it.