Dear Students:

I hope this finds you all doing well after midterms, and now it’s time to turn your attention to the rest of the semester and completing the Fall 2024 semester. I know how difficult this time can be from both the perspective of a student and as a faculty member. College can sometimes feel like a never-ending climb. 

You’ve attended lectures, read copious amounts of books and articles, completed assignments, and studied. Yet, it often feels like progress is slow. It’s easy to get frustrated when challenges pile up—whether it’s balancing work and school, managing personal responsibilities, or facing setbacks in classes. However, the key to success is this: keep going.

We’ve all been there—feeling overwhelmed or doubting whether the effort is worth it. Sometimes the biggest obstacle we have is ourselves and our negative self-talk about ability, intelligence, or whatever aspect of ourselves that we feel isn’t ‘good enough.’ 

It’s normal to hit roadblocks, but remember, frustration is part of the process, not the end. Every course, every test, and every paper is a step closer to your goal, even if it doesn’t always feel like it. Just because things are difficult now doesn’t mean you aren’t making progress. In fact, those tough moments are building the resilience you’ll need to succeed beyond college.

When the road gets rough, try focusing on the bigger picture and your ‘why’ you decided to go to college. What brought you here in the first place? What are you working toward? Maybe it’s the dream of earning your degree or pursuing a specific career.  Maybe you are the first in your family to attend college and you want to be a role model for your family. If you haven’t written those ideas down yet, take a few moments to do so and keep them in a safe place. Revisit them at least weekly to help keep you focused. The finish line may feel distant today, but every step forward, no matter how small, gets you closer to it.

Think about the person you want to become. How will it feel to look back and realize that you made it through the hard times? Imagine that moment of walking across the stage, diploma in hand, knowing you didn’t give up. Visualizing the end can help you refocus and push through the toughest days.

In the end, the journey is about more than just academic achievement. It’s about developing the determination to overcome obstacles and build confidence in your ability to succeed. The sense of accomplishment you’ll feel is like no other—it’s the reward of knowing that you persevered and kept going, even when it wasn’t easy. You will notice a difference in yourself, as will those around you. Your future employer will notice as well. 

So, when things feel hard, take a moment and remind yourself why you started this college journey. You are capable, you are strong, and your goals are within reach. Keep going—because every step forward matters, and in the end, you’ll be proud of how far you’ve come.

All the best in the coming weeks,

Brandon