[atomicc]

Today I got a letter from my college in the mail telling me I graduated cum laude with a 3.51 GPA and would receive my diploma in July. My first reaction was excitement and pride, I had thought my GPA would be a 3.3. Almost a minute later I began to think about how there was still two levels of honors after cum laude which I didn't achieve. I felt stupid. I keep thinking how absolutely average I am and how I wish I could have graduated with outstanding honors and just honors. It feels painful to think I didn't do the absolute best there was. And then I spiral into, I'll never have a job..I'm not good enough for grad school.

Is this normal? Or am I being really hard on myself. I always thought honors was great, but now I think I should have been able to achieve more.

[roads]

Perfectionist, are you? Gotta be the best?
In two years the cum laude will have lost meaning. You graduated near the top of your class, but that won't matter--what have you done since then?
School's over, now you're going out in the workaday world. What your grades were lose meaning pretty much once you land that first job, then what maters is how well you do your job.
Keep up with what you need to produce from day to day. When you see an opening you want, then you can push harder to advance further.
Making the transition from school to work can be difficult, and from what I've seem the perfectionists have a hard time because getting the answer right isn't necessarily what it's all about in the office.
Find a mentor if you can. Worth their weight in gold. Best wishes for an exciting life!
Roads

[Espresso]

I also wanted to achieve the highest honors, but I didn't make it. Ultimately, it didn't matter. Be proud of what you accomplished and move on.

[atomicc]

Originally Posted by roads

Perfectionist, are you? Gotta be the best?
In two years the cum laude will have lost meaning. You graduated near the top of your class, but that won't matter--what have you done since then?
School's over, now you're going out in the workaday world. What your grades were lose meaning pretty much once you land that first job, then what maters is how well you do your job.
Keep up with what you need to produce from day to day. When you see an opening you want, then you can push harder to advance further.
Making the transition from school to work can be difficult, and from what I've seem the perfectionists have a hard time because getting the answer right isn't necessarily what it's all about in the office.
Find a mentor if you can. Worth their weight in gold. Best wishes for an exciting life!
Roads

Yes, I'd say I'm a perfectionist and thank you for the advice. I know it won't matter in the work force, but right now I'm not going there. I'm awaiting replies from grad schools, it matters there. :/

[Mustkeepjob32]

Years ago I graduated nursing school with honors but less than a 4.0. I had been on the President's List at one time and participated in hiring faculty on a committee but I still at one point was upset that I didn't get that 4.0. Now I couldn't care less as I have so many other issues at hand. It's OK for you to feel that way but know you did awesome and like the OP said, it won't matter much to others.
You did awesome and good luck on grad schools! I have yet to go to grad school as my mental heath issues have prevented me from that, but someday I hope to do that too.