If I can pay the gas price based on my cumulative GPA, I'd be thrilled! Hint: it's 2.75. I cannot walk back in time and tell myself that's what I expected at/from Rochester Institute of Technology.  

Nevertheless, all of the academic performance results are on me, and I own it. Throughout the process, I’ve learned the hard way regarding the importance of a positive mindset. Even more importantly, that there’s no excuse for not choosing to have a positive mindset. 

It all started during my second semester of freshman year. I discovered that Deaf Adults earned 40% less on average than their hearing peers and that Deaf adults have a much higher rate of unemployment. Inside me, I knew that it would be a tough road ahead. 

To make the matter a bit tougher, I am not part of the Deaf Elitism-sphere. In other words, if you’re part of the Elite in the Deaf society, then you typically have more doors open for you in Education, the Deaf-advocacy field, and any other related Deaf business.  

The reality that Deaf individuals have to work harder to prove their worth, while at the same time are disadvantaged in many settings, was why Self-Defeatism emerged within me. Add to this that my cochlear implant failed and I lost access to sound and that I was in a major - electrical engineering - that was not clicking.  I went home for the summer and was diagnosed with moderate to severe depression.

Throughout this period of self-defeatism, my GPA plummeted, and I went from being on the dean’s list to being placed on academic probation. It has a heavy toll on my mental and physical health, thus affecting my interest in and ability to complete electrical engineering. It took me a while to get everything in order, find a major that suited me and complete my education at a Bachelor’s level.

My GPA in the final semester was 3.69. I had found my bearing, righted my ship.

I’m surprised myself that I managed to climb out of a hole of Self-Defeatism and push forward. I am now in a much better place, and I’m using my time to develop my skills continuously. 

You may be wondering how I climbed out of this hole. It’s pretty simple: The secret was believing in myself despite the fears and insecurities. Now, I care less about what others would potentially think of me. This is one of the reasons why I have no issues disclosing my academic background.

Now that I’ve shared my story in a basic context, I want to listen to yours. You know how to reach out to me :)

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