This post is for anyone who thinks they can’t make it. After years of poor grades and even receiving a negative letter of recommendation in college, I ultimately graduated with Honors in my master’s program.
Early Academic Struggles
- In 7th grade, I failed 6th‑grade math.
- In high school, I earned As, Bs, Cs, Ds, and Fs, and graduated with a 2.6 GPA.
- My SAT score was 16 on both my first and second attempts.
Surprisingly, my parents weren’t disappointed because they knew I was trying my best. My dad worked in organizational development and, despite my C’s and D’s in English, both my parents saw my potential.
Community College to University
After graduating from high school I was accepted in to community college via remediation in reading, writing, and algebra. Although I felt behind at first, I discovered that college courses didn’t feel like high school at all.
I excelled in most of my classes and ended up being an average student with average grades.
I first started out in photography and pivoted to communication studies. I went from a community college and then transferred to 3 different Universities and ended up with a bachelors in International Cultural Studies with an emphasis in communication.
By graduation, I had a 3.6 GPA: mostly As and Bs, and one C in wilderness camping (which I never petitioned). During college, I also served a two‑year mission in Taiwan, which later improved my ability to study.
Post‑Grad Pivot
After earning my bachelor’s in cultural studies, the recession hit. With few job prospects, my parents gave me $2,000, and I spent it all medical‑school prerequisites. I spent one summer at BYU tackling anatomy, physiology, and chemistry, earning As and Bs and a C in chemistry— then decided medicine wasn’t for me.
Discovering Occupational Therapy
A conversation with my sister, who worked payroll at a skilled nursing facility, introduced me to OT and its earning potential. I learned the University of Utah’s OTs were helping with refugee resettlement, which truly inspired me. I shadowed a few clinicians and applied to OT programs at Utah and Touro University Nevada.
- Utah: Wait‑listed.
- Touro: Interviewed, and faculty expressed intent to accept even before the official letter. The spiritual confirmation was overwhelming.
Master’s Program Success
Knowing I needed a solid B‑average, I refined my study habits:
- Flashcards everywhere: studied during meals and breaks.
- Active learning: reading aloud, teaching concepts to myself, discussing with classmates.
- Sleep: discovered that early‑morning study plus eight hours of sleep improved recall more than late‑night cramming.
- Work‑study: took a campus job that forced me to structure my study time.
In my file, I re‑read a negative recommendation from an undergrad professor— yet I still got in.
The Takeaway
Your past does not dictate your future. It’s not about perfect grades; it’s about perseverance, effective study habits, and finding a path that resonates with you. If you’re struggling, focus on making a positive impact on others. and that will make the greatest difference in your lift.
Thanks for reading!
David is the lead editor of OT Focus. He has been practicing as an Occupational Therapist since 2013. He specializes in acute care, hand therapy, and ergonomics.
