Study Hacks: I Failed My First Exam. Here is What Nobody Tells You About College Grading.

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I failed my first calculus exam. I got a 42%. I thought I was stupid. I thought I wasn't cut out for college. I spent the next week in my dorm room, skipping classes, convinced I was a failure.

Turns out, I wasn't stupid. I just didn't know the things nobody tells you about college until it's too late. That changed when I started using erasable pens for note-taking and a reusable notebook for practice problems.

I wish someone had told me these things before I started. I made so many mistakes that could have been avoided. I learned lessons the hard way that could have been simple conversations.

Here are the brutal truths I learned the hard way:

My Hard-Learned Lessons

What I wish I knew:

• College is more about time management than intelligence
• Your GPA matters less than you think (but more than you hope)
• Networking is more valuable than perfect grades
• Mental health is non-negotiable
• Failure is part of the process

What I learned the hard way:

• I prioritized grades over mental health (burned out)
• I didn't network (missed opportunities)
• I thought failure meant I wasn't smart (wrong)
• I didn't ask for help (struggled alone)

1. College Is More About Time Management Than Intelligence

What nobody tells you: The smartest students don't always get the best grades. The students who manage their time well do.

My experience: I thought I needed to be smarter to get better grades. I spent hours studying inefficiently, thinking more time = better grades. I was wrong.

The reality: Time management beats intelligence. Students who plan their time, prioritize tasks, and avoid procrastination outperform students who just "study harder."

What I learned: I started using time-blocking and prioritizing my Top 3 tasks daily. I also started using erasable pens for note-taking, which allowed me to make corrections without messy cross-outs. For subjects that required lots of practice problems, I use a reusable notebook that I can erase and reuse, saving money on paper. My grades improved, and I had more free time. Time management was the key, not intelligence.

2. Your GPA Matters Less Than You Think (But More Than You Hope)

What nobody tells you: Your GPA matters for grad school and some jobs, but it's not everything. Experience, skills, and networking matter more.

My experience: I obsessed over my GPA. I thought a 4.0 was the only path to success. I sacrificed everything—social life, mental health, sleep—for perfect grades.

The reality: Most employers care more about experience and skills than GPA. A 3.5 with internships beats a 4.0 with no experience.

What I learned: I balanced grades with experience. I got internships, built skills, and networked. My GPA was still good (3.6), but my experience made me more competitive.

3. Networking Is More Valuable Than Perfect Grades

What nobody tells you: Who you know matters more than what you know. Networking opens doors that perfect grades can't.

My experience: I thought good grades were enough. I didn't network. I missed opportunities because I didn't know the right people.

The reality: Most jobs come from connections, not applications. Networking is more valuable than perfect grades.

What I learned: I started networking. I talked to professors, attended events, and connected with alumni. Opportunities opened up that I never would have found otherwise.

4. Mental Health Is Non-Negotiable

What nobody tells you: Mental health is just as important as physical health. You can't pour from an empty cup.

My experience: I prioritized everything over mental health. I thought stress was normal, burnout was expected, and anxiety was part of being a student.

The reality: Mental health is non-negotiable. You can't succeed if you're burned out, anxious, or depressed.

What I learned: I started prioritizing mental health. I set boundaries, practiced self-care, and got help when I needed it. My productivity and happiness improved.

5. Failure Is Part of the Process

What nobody tells you: Failure isn't the end—it's part of the process. Everyone fails. Successful people just fail faster and learn from it.

My experience: I thought failure meant I wasn't smart or capable. I avoided risks and played it safe. I missed opportunities because I was afraid to fail.

The reality: Failure is how you learn. Every successful person has failed. The difference is they learned from it and kept going.

What I learned: I started embracing failure. I took risks, learned from mistakes, and kept going. I grew more from failures than from successes.

6. Asking for Help Is a Strength, Not a Weakness

What nobody tells you: Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness. Everyone needs help sometimes.

My experience: I thought asking for help meant I was weak or incapable. I struggled alone, thinking I should be able to figure it out myself.

The reality: Asking for help is a strength. It shows self-awareness and a willingness to learn. Everyone needs help sometimes.

What I learned: I started asking for help. I went to office hours, joined study groups, and talked to counselors. I learned faster and felt less alone.

7. Comparison Is the Thief of Joy

What nobody tells you: Comparing yourself to others steals your joy. Everyone's journey is different.

My experience: I constantly compared myself to others. I saw classmates with better grades, better internships, better social lives. I felt inadequate and stressed.

The reality: Comparison is the thief of joy. Everyone's journey is different. Focus on your own progress, not others' success.

What I learned: I stopped comparing myself to others. I focused on my own progress and goals. I felt happier and more motivated.

8. Sleep Is More Important Than You Think

What nobody tells you: Sleep is more important than you think. It affects everything—grades, mood, health, and success.

My experience: I thought sleep was optional. I pulled all-nighters, slept 4-5 hours per night, and thought I was being productive.

The reality: Sleep is essential. Poor sleep hurts your grades, mood, and health. Good sleep improves everything.

What I learned: I started prioritizing sleep. I got 7-8 hours per night, set a digital sunset, and created a bedtime routine. My grades, mood, and health improved.

9. You Don't Have to Have It All Figured Out

What nobody tells you: You don't have to have it all figured out. Most people don't. It's okay to be uncertain.

My experience: I thought I needed to know exactly what I wanted to do. I stressed about choosing the right major, the right career, the right path.

The reality: You don't have to have it all figured out. Most people don't. It's okay to explore, change your mind, and figure it out as you go.

What I learned: I stopped stressing about having it all figured out. I explored different paths, changed my mind, and figured it out as I went. I felt less stressed and more open to opportunities.

10. Your College Experience Is What You Make It

What nobody tells you: Your college experience is what you make it. You can make it amazing or miserable—it's up to you.

My experience: I thought college would be amazing automatically. I waited for it to happen, but it didn't. I was disappointed and stressed.

The reality: Your college experience is what you make it. You have to put in the effort—join clubs, make friends, try new things, take risks.

What I learned: I started making my college experience. I joined clubs, made friends, tried new things, and took risks. My college experience became amazing.

Final Thoughts

These are the things nobody explains until it's too late. I learned them the hard way, but you don't have to.

College is more about time management than intelligence. Your GPA matters less than you think. Networking is more valuable than perfect grades. Mental health is non-negotiable. Failure is part of the process.

Learn from my mistakes. Don't wait until it's too late.

Action Plan

This week: Pick one thing from this list and implement it. Start with the easiest one—maybe prioritizing sleep or asking for help.

This month: Implement 3-5 things from this list. Notice how your college experience improves.

Get the exact erasable pens I use here. Get the exact reusable notebook I use here.

Question for readers: What's one thing you wish someone had told you before college? Share it in the comments, and let's help each other avoid mistakes!