B- is an ok grade, right?

[alee_grrl]

So one class has posted grades so far. I got a B- on my Contracts final. Part of me feels like I should be really happy with this grade as I was worried about this final. It was my first law school final, it was closed book, and I had missed quite a few classes due to depression and fibro flares. But my Hermione tendencies are screaming at me that this just ins't good enough. I have spent a great deal of time trying to convince myself that a B average is fine, but I've never had less than a 3.0 and rarely less than a 3.5 GPA and if I get one C I might just find myself with a lower GPA than I've ever had.

While intellectually I know that grades are less important that actual skills, and I have actual skills aplenty, part of me has been trained to see grades as a marker of accomplishment and getting less than a 3.5 is a sign of failure. It's ridiculous, but the thought of it has my gut in knots.

So I am trying to acknowledge that this is an old routine, or old programing if you will, and that it isn't a valid program anymore. I remind myself that I have lots of skills and am a great asset in an office. This is all much easier said than done though.

I think I'll distract myself with some cleaning. That is at least one way to feel accomplished. :)

Comments

[sulien]

B- is actually damned good for a grade in law school, most especially when you consider the fact that your health issues kept you out of class and undoubtedly kept you from studying as much as would have otherwise. There is also a big difference between undergraduate courses and a specialized field of study like law, it isn't nearly as easy.

Most people realize that not everyone tests well under every circumstance and you are absolutely right that good, sharp skills are far more important than grades.

*hands you a plate of calorie free chocolate fudge brownies* I think you owe yourself a pat on the back for doing so well despite the factors against you. *nods*

[alee_grrl]

Aw thank you! I've been doing a lot of meditating on this issue as my other grades have come in (I'm waiting on one more). So far I have two B minuses and one B. If I get the B range grade I'm hoping for in my last class I will have a solid B average. Considering all the things I've struggled with this semester I am happy with that.

It's been very helpful that I've had a lot of friends remind me that I'm not exactly one of the fresh out of college healthy young people in my class either. I've been out of school for a bit, and have considerations that a lot of others don't. Plus as you pointed out, graduate study is on a totally different level from undergraduate school. So I'm feeling a lot better about my grades than I had. Thank you for the support and brownies. :D It really does mean a lot to me.