Mistakes happen… both big and small. Mistakes aren’t fun to make, and many people fear making them. From personal experience, a fear of making mistakes is what’s likely to hold us back. We may find ourselves scared to try new things that could really change our lives for the better. This could mean being scared to try out for a sports team, being scared to ask for a promotion, or being scared to talk to your crush. But over time, everyone learns at some point that making mistakes is the key to learning and developing character. Continue reading to learn more about common mistakes that occur during college and what you can do to make light of these mistakes!
Mistakes in academics
We all know the college workload can be a lot. The stress of a big workload can lead to ineffective studying and feeling overwhelmed with class material. Let’s say you wanted to get a perfect 100% on your midterm paper, but you had so much going on that you procrastinated and wrote the paper the night before it was due. As a result, you made some grammar mistakes and accidentally left some important information out. You actually ended up with an 85% on the paper.
One of the best ways to learn from and avoid mistakes like this in the future is to make time for things like proofreading and taking your time on assignments. When we feel rushed or like we didn’t have enough time to study, it’s hard to live up to our true potential. The amount of work you put in will likely be shown in your grade.
Mistakes in relationships
Whether it’s with friends or a romantic partner, personal relationships aren’t always easy in college. With everyone having different schedules, sometimes it’s hard to find the time to connect with your friends. Sometimes we may find ourselves sacrificing parts of our lives to hang out with these people, such as skipping class, calling off work, or going out instead of doing homework.
While it’s important to make time for the people you care about, it’s equally as important to stay on top of your responsibilities. It’s common for relationships to suffer when partners are unable to make enough time for each other that suits each other’s needs. They make the mistake of not communicating well enough to the point nobody’s needs are being met. Remember to communicate with your friends and romantic partners and try to work around these issues if they arise!
mistakes in time-management
Sometimes we overestimate how much we can take on at one time. This leads to overscheduling, forgetting about important events, and feeling overwhelmed.
To create the schedule that works best for you, start by figuring out your priorities. If you prioritize school more than your job, incorporate fewer hours at work for more study time. If you know you have a discussion due every Friday, create time slots throughout the week to work on them. Once you figure out a schedule that gives you the time to complete important tasks and also have fun… you’ll no longer have to worry about feeling overscheduled!
Remember that no one is going to think less of you for making a mistake. It happens to the best of us! The goal is to learn from them and use that experience for self-improvement. As my parents used to say… “There’s no use crying over spilled milk!”