Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul Copioli
Now, for you other Texas students that want to go to a Texas University ... I don't really have much advice for you other than to work hard and learn as much as you can, because that is really what matters in your education if you want to actually be productive in your career.
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This is good advice in general. There are a lot of good schools out there, and those who are willing to work hard are more likely to (a) figure out what career path is best for them and (b) be successful and happy in their career choice.
I am on the research faculty in the largest research division of a major research university, affiliated with a federal research lab that is an extremely cool place to work. I hire and work with a lot of college undergraduate students. I can tell you that we really don't care about their high school GPA once they are here. If they show the desire to learn, though, and have shown the ability to succeed in challenging courses in college, then this is the place for them. They get to work on research projects that give them a huge boost to start their professional career or (more frequently) getting into the grad school of their choice, and they get paid to do so.
The students who are really passionate seek us out, and almost always get a job. It's pretty easy to identify them. Wish we had more FIRST kids, here!
Anyway, my point is don't stress about the short term stuff. Take the long term view an you will be a lot happier in both the short and long term.
(Disclaimer: I'm the father of kids who also stress about their GPAs, but not as much when they take the long view. Plus, here, ACT and PSAT scores seem to be far more important than grades).