College isn’t supposed to be easy…it’s supposed to help you grow. Learn how to handle frustration, recover from setbacks, and build resilience through small acts of persistence, self-compassion, and “connected independence.”

Transitioning from high school to college brings varying degrees of ease for different students. While some may breeze through college exams with minimal effort, others struggle to adapt to the nuances of instruction, testing, and grading. Universally relatable among college students is the experience of failing an exam or falling short of anticipated grades, often occurring early in the semester as students navigate new class dynamics and subject matter.