How failing a semester in college isn’t the end of the world

On occasion, I must say, a lot many times I have felt that the quote, ‘failures are stepping stones to success’ has been over-used. Largely, because college years are solely dedicated to a trial and error process of figuring things out. But a failure does impact someone a lot more, especially when you see someone else climbing up the ladder, who you know has the same capability or capacity as you do, if not less. In that moment, nothing really matters because you start questioning yourself on every single aspect. Because how can one college exam decide on whether I make it through or not?

A majority of times, you’ll probably find yourself blaming it on luck. Or some external factor which landed you in the wrong place at the wrong time. And it’s not unacceptable. I mean, failing a semester may not feel like a huge deal to someone who is only listening to you passively rant about it, on occasion, even leading you to frustration. Because why can someone not get that it is the end of the world?! And why isn’t someone making things go right, just once!

I’ll tell you how it’s not the end of the world. And although this may seem like a lot of positivity for someone stuck in a rut, accept it. For once, calm down, take a deep breath and hear me out.

First things first,

Stop with the blame game. On yourself, the situation, or whatever it is that you feel has led you to this stage. Blaming stuff on something or someone may ease your frustration to some extent but it isn’t going to give you any solace. Keep this in mind because no matter what, it’s happened. It’s a done deal, you cannot change it. Which leads me to my next point,

Accept it. There are far worse things that could happen in the world or with you but they haven’t. Use a method where you practice gratitude if you do not feel all so welcoming about accepting it. Right before you fall asleep, say thankyou to something. Your room, your parents, your house. Just anything, and state a reason. Once the gratitude jar builds up, you’ll slowly find room in you to start accepting it and get out of being stuck.

Venture Out. As much as staying in your bed and not showing your face to anyone may seem appealing, do not give yourself to it entirely. It’s natural for you to feel embarrassed and a whole rush of other emotions. With you doubting your own self, coupled with thinking about what others think about, may be nerve wracking.

There’s a reason why the famous Rajesh Khanna makes his message loud and clear, that of “Kuch toh log kahenge, logo ka kaam kehna”. It isn’t wise to think of what other’s might think of you when their opinion or contribution in your life isn’t going to take you anywhere.

Failing a college semester may seem like the end of the world, but, *drumroll* it isn’t. You have full liberty to take some time off, figure stuff out, what are your interests, where did you go wrong or whether there is any other avenue you want to explore. We’ve heard of so many drop-outs or failures who made it big in the world, if it weren’t for their failures, we wouldn’t have had such jewels. I’ve had friends who flunked but are doing so well now, it makes me wonder whether I could replicate their behavior.

All in all, failure, is a stepping stone to success. And as much I think it has been over-used, there couldn’t have been a better approach to look at.