I got my knickers in a wad the other day when a prof gave me a tentative “C” on an assignment because he “didn’t see” my attached document. I even explained in the memo section of the submission page that it was an Excel document with three tabs. I even turned in the assignment early!

I fumed over it for a few minutes, resent the document as an email attachment instead of via the assignment screen (since I’d already submitted it, I couldn’t resend it that way, anyway). Then, I had an epiphany.

It.

Doesn’t.

Matter.

Seriously — in five, 10, 15 years (or hopefully only 2-1/2) after I earn my doctorate, will anyone but me care? Will they announce my GPA as I walk across the stage at graduation? Will a prospective employer scour my transcript for anything other than to verify that yes, indeed, I did earn a bonafide degree? The answer is NO.

Cs get degrees. The Honors Student in me involuntarily shivers as I read that, but it’s true. Don’t get me wrong — GPA matters a lot in high school. It can make or break college acceptance, scholarships, etc. However, once you get into college (and especially graduate school), who cares? That would be NO ONE. Unless you are applying to med school or law school, I really think that we (read: *I*) stress out much too much about grades.

Not any more. I will still do my best, but I’m not going to bend over backwards, stand on my head and gargle peanut butter just to earn an A. I have a life outside of school, and I would like to keep my sanity to enjoy it.

So, when I start stressing out over papers due, etc., feel free to thump me in the head and remind me of this little sermonette. It’s really going to be ok, Ang. You will survive if you get a C!