Failing as a student has been my biggest fear since I first read the “Harry Potter” series and made Hermione Granger my entire personality trait in second grade.

Ever since elementary school, I’ve found comfort in academic validation. 

When I’d score well on a test it would make my week, but then finding out I flopped on an essay would turn me into the worst person you’ve ever met.

Especially because my parents always put so much emphasis on prioritizing school, I would let one bad grade totally waiver my confidence.

Related: OPINION: Tackling academic burnout as a USF student

As a senior in college, I still thrive off academic validation. I have my cravings for it every now and then, but I’ve learned how to de-center school from my life enough so I don’t get immense anxiety from it anymore.

A simple “Excellent!” in the margin of a graded essay goes so far, but it shouldn’t dictate the type of week I am having or impact my self-worth.

So, here’s some ways I have learned to overcome my yearning for academic validation.

I’ve come a long way from viewing my bad work as embarrassing failures. Instead, now I see that even the failures help build a more well-rounded and experienced student.

Learning is a process, sometimes a nonlinear one. Setbacks and “failures” are normal, they are not the end of the world even though it may feel that way. Failure often means some effort and progress is being made.

An “F” doesn’t mean I am dumb or that I am a failure as a human being. 

It might mean my mom makes me start being responsible for my phone bill.

Next, it’s important to realize grades are not telling of one’s actual intelligence. They do not reflect me as a person as a whole.

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There are ways I can be successful and feel complete beyond succeeding in school. Making my bed in the morning isn’t much, but it can make me feel just as productive as crossing off something on my Canvas task list.

My grades may be sexy, but what is the point if I’m mentally struggling? 

Learning should be a fun experience. 

When you are constantly worried about if you have a high “A” or “B” in a class, it becomes this game of “Well, what mood am I in today?” 

In a fast-paced learning environment like college, this mindset gets tiring real fast.

To combat my desire for academic validation, I’ve found ways to cope that are way more productive than moping around and shaming myself for not doing as well on an essay as I hoped.

I have found spending time with friends who are in a similar boat as me is helpful in fighting negative feelings of my addiction to academic reassurance. 

It’s also just nice to spend time with family and friends who don’t go to your school, because these are people who won’t reduce you to your educational achievements.

Taking about an hour or two each night to unplug from Canvas and Outlook has also been a helpful reminder that I have a life outside of school.

While I can be proud of what I have achieved as a student, it’s important to look elsewhere for fulfillment.