Our oldest son just finished his first semester in college and came home for winter break. He has had some of the typical learning experiences that come with being a first-time freshman, such as adjusting to managing his own schedule, navigating challenging coursework, and figuring out how to balance academics with social life. Overall, he has thrived and really enjoyed his experience. We are thrilled to have him home for a few weeks.
He has been checking his grades closely to see how his chemistry grade ended up. He was thrilled to realize he has earned a high B+ and texted me to share this exciting news. Considering his first exam was pretty dismal and he was sure he was going to end up dropping the course, he persevered. He leaned into resources, tutoring, study groups, and didn’t give up.
He also said, “I did well on the second chance at greatness.”
Puzzled, I asked, “What is the second chance at greatness?”
He responded, “It’s like an optional extra final that you can take that basically covers all the concepts from the previous tests and he said if you get a higher score - than your lowest test grade - it will replace the low grade. My lowest test was a 64.”
I have never heard of this opportunity and love the creativity of the title, but especially the opportunity for students to “show what they know.” The “second chance at greatness” really made me think about all the times in life we could all use a second chance or another try. Grace, second chances, and being able to demonstrate that you figured it out are vital in both academic and personal growth. Whether it’s recovering from a challenging class or navigating life’s unexpected twists, these opportunities teach resilience and the value of continuous effort.
In the college admissions process, there aren’t many second chances. Of course, applicants can always provide additional information (grades and test scores), appeal a decision, or even provide more information if deferred. We are thrilled our son has found a caring institution that embraces demonstrating learning.
Success isn’t linear. It’s filled with setbacks, unexpected turns, and opportunities to grow from failure. Whether it’s overcoming a tough class or reevaluating life goals, we all deserve and need a second chance at greatness.
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