The dawn is breaking, a light shining through

I can see the light of this tunnel they call finals.
I have only one left tomorrow, and I'm estatic.
I shall not discuss how my tests have gone so far, because I've found that I am often and unreliable source, and even when I'm certain that I've failed a test, I could very well have made a B on it.
Let's just say I hope I'm a good gusser. Because I guessed on 55 of 60 Geography questions, and about 70 of 100 World Civ questions.
So much for the benefits of studying.
Oh look, I'm discussing finals after all. I'll stop here and spare you.

Difference Between High School and College #347:
In college, grades actually matter.
All four years of my high school career, I unecessarily worried myself with my GPA. For what? Five minutes of fame in front of 300 people and a misprinted position of "Salutatorian" in size 12 font on a cheezily-printed graduation program (I was SO Valedictorian). In reality, all you have to do in high school is pass. You can make straight Ds and still have a very successful colliegiate experience/career. In high school, grades are pretty much just there to determine how much or how little of a bum you are. In college, on the other hand, passing grades are required to a.) Keep scholarships that completely provide for your education, b.) continue your studies, and c.) get hired. But no pressure, right?

Differeence Between High School and College #348:
In collge, grades don't really matter anymore.
Right, no pressure. You see, in high school, grades determine not only your intellect, but also your social status. Starting in elementary school, you are either labelled as a "Smart Kid," a "Dumb Kid," or an "Average Kid." In collge, however, no one even knows what anyone's GPA is, and no one even cares. If you fail a class in high school, it is devestating. If you aren't promoted to the next year with the rest of your class, it could very well be comparable to the end of the world. In college? Shoot, failed classes are no big deal. Yeah, it's a shame that you've lost all that money and time and effort, but hey, things happen. Better luck next time, right? If you fail a class, people don't assume you're dumb; they assume they should never take the professor that failed you. At the end of the day, a GPA is just a number that, yes, may or may not determine your potential for a successful career. But if I've learned anything in the five months that I've been here, it's not to let school get in the way of college. Yeah yeah, I'm here for a diploma, but when I look back on my college years, I'm not going to be saying, "Boy, I wish I spent more time studying in the library." No, I'm going to be thankful for all the times I stayed up until 4 am to get doughnuts with friends when I should have been studying in the library. Yes, I do study, and yes, I do work hard to keep my scholarship, but college is no longer about grades. It's about relationships, and living the "best four years of my life" to the utmost fullest.

And that's my soapbox for the night.