Academic Support Programs

Our People

Contact Information

Our office is located in Mary Gates Hall (MGH) 274. Come say hi!

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Professional Staff

Ryan Burt, He/Him

Ryan Burt, He/Him

Director
(206) 685-5347

About me

Hi there! I was born and raised in Eastern Washington before moving to our lovely Emerald City to study at the University of Washington. The UW was big, but I was lucky to have friendly professors and inviting programs that made me feel connected and at home. For me that is a great goal for us in Academic Support Programs: to make every student feel supported and at home.  

I loved my undergraduate experience, where I studied English and the Comparative History of Ideas, and decided to continue my studies. In graduate school, I spent a lot of time thinking about how American universities can better welcome a diverse student population and offer classes that reflect an equally diverse curriculum.  Graduate school was difficult, but truly rewarding. In 2008 I received my PhD in the English Department at the UW.  

Over the years I have studied in Italy and Spain and taught for two years at a large public university in Southern Morocco. As I know how exhilarating, mind-opening and challenging it can be to live and learn in a country and culture that is not your own, I am grateful to be part of a team in Academic Support Programs committed to helping our students from all corners of the world succeed.  

Outside of school I love playing and listening to all kinds of music (I’m a drummer), checking out art, cooking, and getting into the beautiful Washington State out-of-doors. I love hanging with my family and friends.  After seeing some amazing parts of the world, I can say that Seattle is one of my favorite places to be.  

Please come visit me in ASP and let me know how I can help you at the University of Washington!

Alli Botelho, She/Her

Alli Botelho, She/Her

Assistant Director, (Oversees Academic Success Coaching Program)
206-543-5755

About me

Growing up I was born and raised on the island of Oahu, Hawai’i which taught me about the values of community and family. From a young age, I learned so much from the community around me and strive to bring a compassionate heart everywhere I go.

I decided to move to Seattle to pursue higher education and learn from a new community of people. I went to Seattle Pacific University (SPU) where I studied psychology and learned about subject areas that I was passionate about. My college experience taught me that in order to be successful in higher education, I needed the community of people around me. From being involved on campus in many different organizations that sparked my passions in sharing my culture, service, and event planning, I learned about the field of Student Affairs.

From there, I decided to continue my educational pursuit at Seattle University where I graduated with a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Student Development Administration. During my time in the program, I had the opportunity to intern with Academic Support Programs. I am thankful to continue working with ASP and support the Academic Success Coaching Program. I continuously learn and am inspired by our peer Academic Success Coaches who work to support students and create intentional spaces for students at UW. 

I value community, collaboration, and compassion where I believe that each person has their own strengths and that working together to achieve our goals truly makes a difference. In my free time, I love spending time with family and friends, trying new food places, watching TV shows, and working on new art projects. 

Please feel free to reach out, and let me know what I can do to best support you at the University of Washington! 

Jessica Simon, She/Her

Jessica Simon, She/Her

CLUE Program Manager
206-616-7303

About me

Hi! I grew up on the east coast and then moved to California to study bioengineering at UC San Diego. During undergrad, I worked as a Supplemental Instruction Leader and Tutor at the Teaching and Learning Commons. I focused mostly on calculus, differential equations, and linear algebra, but I occasionally tutored chemistry and physics when needed. 

After graduating, I immediately drove up the coast to Seattle to begin graduate school at UW.  I spent the first 2 years focusing on taking classes and research, but I realized that I missed education and working with students. I graduated from UW in 2024 and am excited to be working with CLUE in a more permanent role.

In my role at Academic Support Programs, I support the entire CLUE team and work closely with our Subject Lead Tutors. Stop by if you want to chat or have any questions!

Student Assistants

Ingrid, CLUE Student Assistant, she/her

Ingrid, CLUE Student Assistant, she/her

Graduate Student, Environmental Health

I'm excited about

Returning to CLUE! I was a student assistant as an undergraduate and liked it so much I came back. It's a pleasure to support students and tutors every shift - CLUE is an incredible resource that I am proud to be part of, and I'm so impressed by our knowledgeable tutors and the dedicated students that come in to see us.

Ask me about

bike commuting, oatmeal, the UW farm, vests, urban hikes, couponing, shorts weather, sheep

Julie, ASP Student Assistant, She/Her

Julie, ASP Student Assistant, She/Her

Graduate Student, Information Management

I'm excited about

Travelling, reading, music, concerts, fashion, movies, food, video games, art

Ask me about

I recently graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Informatics. During my time as an undergraduate student, I had the pleasure of working with ASP's Center for Learning and Undergraduate Enrichment as a lead writing tutor. I am excited to continue contributing to my UW community and ASP as a student assistant for the Academic Support Programs! :)

Notable academic challenge

Like many college students, when I arrived at UW, I did not know exactly what I wanted to study and felt like I was behind compared to the other students who were already admitted in their major. Although this was a setback, I took this as an opportunity to explore all the different options that interested me such as business, computer science, psychology, and more. This process proved to be necessary, as I discovered a major that I had not previously been aware of: Informatics. This major was an intersection of all my interests, and I found a great career path. Now, I know that the journey through college is not necessarily linear, and there will be unexpected obstacles, but also unexpected opportunities. You will find your path, so keep exploring and learning! :)

Krisha, Digital Engagement Student Assistant, She/Her

Krisha, Digital Engagement Student Assistant, She/Her

Second year, Computer Science

I'm excited about

Chess, books, music, baking

Ask me about

I am passionate about using technology and digital design to support students by creating accessible resources and fostering inclusive environments.

Aditi, ASP Student Assistant, She/Her

Aditi, ASP Student Assistant, She/Her

Junior, Bioengineering with Data Science Option

I'm excited about

I really like traveling, swimming, hiking, photography, and listening to music!

Ask me about

Hi! I'm from Phoenix, Arizona, but I’ve always been drawn to the PNW. Coming from a small high school, I’ve really enjoyed the transition to a larger school where I’ve had the chance to meet new people and explore different perspectives. Living in a new city has been really exciting! I love discovering local spots, trying new food, and getting outdoors whenever I can. I'm passionate about building community and making the most of every opportunity that comes my way.

Notable academic challenge

During my freshman year fall quarter, I took MATH 126 and didn’t do as well as I hoped on the first midterm. The academic pressure, combined with the challenge of being an out-of-state student still trying to find my community, left me feeling overwhelmed. But over time, I learned that it's okay to struggle, because what matters is how you respond. I started connecting with classmates, forming study groups, and leaning on others who understood what I was going through. Not only did that help me academically, but some of those people have become my closest friends to this day. That experience really showed me how important it is to work with others, keep going even when things get tough, and lean on people who are going through the same thing.

Success Coaches

Annika, Lead Coach, she/her

Annika, Lead Coach, she/her

Senior, Public Health-Global Health

I'm excited about

I love shopping, watching reality TV, and going on runs!

Ask me about

Hello! My name is Annika, and I am a third-year student majoring in Public Health–Global Health on a pre-medical track. I am originally from a small town in Eastern Washington, and while moving to Seattle initially felt daunting, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities and experiences I have had at UW. I have definitely had my share of hardships as I proceed through my academic career, but they have taught me the importance of consistency and the value of a positive mindset. In this role, I hope to empower fellow students and provide meaningful support as they navigate their own academic and personal challenges.

Notable academic challenge

I am the proud daughter of immigrants and the first in my family to attend a university in the U.S., so navigating my first year was certainly a significant challenge. I often experienced imposter syndrome in my introductory courses, feeling intimidated by the large class sizes and competitive grading. Now, as a junior, I have learned to better manage my anxiety and developed strong time-management skills that allow me to balance academics with my personal life. It’s easy to get caught up in the constant demands of classes, but I believe it’s equally important to pause, take care of yourself, and recognize the accomplishments that brought you here. Because I know firsthand how difficult these challenges can be, I am deeply passionate about supporting other students as they navigate their own journeys.

Griffin, Lead Coach, She/They

Griffin, Lead Coach, She/They

Junior, Political Science and Communications

I'm excited about

Some of my hobbies include long walks, making bracelets, volunteering at a cat cafe, thrifting and watching horror movies.

Ask me about

Even though I grew up in the greater Seattle area, I never really ventured into Seattle. I've found a love for long neighborhood walks, allowing me to discover new places. I've also been diving more into classic horror movies (along with many new ones), and spending time taking care of cats.

Notable academic challenge

In a few classes I've struggled on first tests or quizzes, and was unsure why my studying methods weren't working. To improve on future tests, I utilized my professors and TA's as valuable resources. They have often advised me how they would study for the next one, or pointed me to another resource or person who knows how to answer my questions.

CLUE Tutors: Biology

Alex (Lead), Biology, he/him

Alex (Lead), Biology, he/him

Senior, Biochemistry

Ask me about

comic books, Pokémon, and crochet

Notable academic challenge

Staying on top of a study schedule by myself

CLUE Tutors: Chemistry

Izzy (Lead), Chemistry, she/her

Izzy (Lead), Chemistry, she/her

Senior, BS: Chemistry; BA: Psychology

I've taken

Chem 237, 238, 239, 241, 499, 196

Ask me about

Quilting, Crocheting, Orchestra, Hiking

Notable academic challenge

I hadn't taken chemistry before college, so going straight into Chem 142 my first quarter here was quite a challenge-- I almost dropped the class. However, I relearned how to study, went to as many office hours as possible, and eventually changed my major to chemistry!

Ryan, Chemistry, he/him

Ryan, Chemistry, he/him

Graduate Student, Medicinal Chemistry

I've taken

Equivalent of CHEM 162, 237, 312, 530, 531, 532

Ask me about

Trail running and playing classical piano!

Notable academic challenge

The weekly problem sets in CHEM 530 (Advanced Physical Organic Chemistry) required both creativity and a deep knowledge of organic reaction mechanisms. By working on them with my peers, however, I gained an appreciation for collaborative problem solving that I hope to share with fellow students while at CLUE.

Avery, Chemistry, he/him

Avery, Chemistry, he/him

Junior, Molecular Biology

I've taken

General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, CHEM 241 & 242

Ask me about

Swimming, tennis, and cooking! I'm also trying to get into musicals too!

Notable academic challenge

I came into UW under prepared and disorganized. I struggled getting used to the college workload and ended up doing below average on my first midterm in MATH 126. However, I was able to learn from this experience by utilizing organizational tools such as google sheets and calendar. This was extremely beneficial to my time management and allowed for focused and effective study time. I would strongly recommend trying some of these academic strategies if you're ever struggling.

Jack, Chemistry, he/him

Jack, Chemistry, he/him

Junior, Chemical Engineering

I've taken

Chem 142, 152, 162, 237, 238

Ask me about

Swimming, cycling, concrete canoe, cooking, fishing, hiking

Notable academic challenge

I procrastinated so hard in my HS Spanish 2 class that I had to do around 60 assignments in 2 nights.

CLUE Tutors: Math

Jamie (Lead), Math, she/her

Jamie (Lead), Math, she/her

Senior, Mathematics, International Studies minor

I've taken

Taken math 402 & 403, currently taking 441 and 395

Ask me about

Electric guitar, fiction books, music recording, and Swedish rap

Notable academic challenge

I got a 50% on my first midterm here at UW and realized I had to learn how to study better.

Amelie, Math, she/her

Amelie, Math, she/her

Junior, Math

I've taken

Math 207, 208, 224, 300, 394

Ask me about

Violin, tennis, summer camp, British murder mysteries

Notable academic challenge

After my first math test at UW, I realized I never properly learned how to study in high school. So, I spent a lot of time thinking about how best to understand concepts and planning my study sessions. After trial and error, it’s much less stressful studying for and taking exams now that I follow an effective routine.

Matt, Math, he/him

Matt, Math, he/him

Alum, Math

I've taken

MATH 207/8/9 224 327/8 402/3/4 424/5/6 441/2/3 391/2/3

Ask me about

hiking, movies, puzzle games

Notable academic challenge

I will never be a truly great mathematician because I am just not crazy enough

Parker, Math, he/him

Parker, Math, he/him

Junior, Mathematics/Computer Science

I've taken

Math 207, 208, 224, 300, 318, 327, 342 402, 403, 404, 424, 461

Ask me about

Literature, music, board games, cooking

Notable academic challenge

I took on a much heavier course load than I should have one quarter. This made it difficult to maintain a healthy school and life balance, which in turn made it difficult to find motivation to focus on my academics. It was the hardest quarter I have been through, but it taught me the importance of having a balanced schedule.

Aayush, Math, he/him

Aayush, Math, he/him

Junior, Mechanical Engineering

I've taken

MATH 12X, MATH 207, 208

Ask me about

Anime, Backpacking, Puzzling, Music

Notable academic challenge

I often face troubles with time management and juggling both extracurricular activities and school work. In the past, I had tended to over-extend myself and participate in too much, which caused burnout and exhaustion. I had to sit down with multiple friends/family and plan out my time to determine the proper balance between what I was truly interested in academically and what I am actually able to realistically do while maintaining a good work-life balance.

Abby, Math, she/her

Abby, Math, she/her

Sophomore, Chemical Engineering

Ask me about

anything music related, good eats, reading, pokemon

Notable academic challenge

I used to struggle with math in high school, like 13% on exams type of struggle. It was super hard to have confidence in myself at this stage and it continued to show in my performance. Getting additional help was such a big step for me and it takes so much courage to do so, but it was honestly one of the best things I could have done for myself academically, so please don't be afraid to reach out in any way you can!

Ashton, Math, he/him

Ashton, Math, he/him

Junior, Mathematics, Aeronautics & Astronautics

I've taken

MATH 207, MATH 208, MATH 224, MATH 300, MATH 327, MATH 402, MATH 403, MATH 404, MATH 407, MATH 424, MATH 425, MATH 426

Ask me about

Jazz, running, musicals, and spicy food

Notable academic challenge

During my first year at UW, I was met with many unpleasant surprises. The increased workloads and difficult exams required me to completely shift my study habits and work-life schedule. The introductory sequences in particular had me stressing about whether I was on the right career path (shout-out physics and chemistry). But by the end of the year, I had adapted to this schedule and developed much more confidence in my academic abilities, finding success every class since.

Iris, Math, she/her

Iris, Math, she/her

Sophomore, Computer Science/Math, AMATH and NCE minors

I've taken

MATH 12X, MATH 208, AMATH 301, AMATH 351, MATH 300

Ask me about

hyper-pop music, bleach painting, any indie rogue-like game ever

Notable academic challenge

getting up for class

Jake, Math, he/him

Jake, Math, he/him

Junior, Industrial Engineering

I've taken

MATH 207-208, 300

Ask me about

Pokemon, video games

Notable academic challenge

I had no idea what was going on in my kinematics class and barely scraped by. I didn't utilize office hours or quiz section and that added so much more difficulty and pain.

Li-An, Math, he/ him

Li-An, Math, he/ him

Junior, ACMS (Data Sciences and Statistics), Geography (Data Science)

I've taken

MATH 125, 126, 207, 208, 300, 394, 407

Ask me about

Soccer (Come on you Spurs), Video Games (Especially RPGs), Dungeons and Dragons, Playing Music (Piano & Clarinet)

Notable academic challenge

When I started college, I only had a vague idea of what I wanted to do in the future, and for a while, I felt pressured to have it all figured out. Over time, I realized it is natural not to know exactly where I am headed and that the best thing I can do is focus on making the most of my time here by taking classes that interest me, learning skills I care about, and staying open to where those experiences might lead.

Parker, Math, he/him

Parker, Math, he/him

Junior, Chemical Engineering

I've taken

MATH 207, 208

Ask me about

paddle boarding, sci-fi thrillers, history, whatever you want!

Notable academic challenge

In school I have always struggled with procrastination. I used to punish myself for leaving every assignment until the last second, which brought me a lot of stress. But I noticed that even though I procrastinated a lot, I still got everything done. Through this I learned to give myself grace and trust myself, which has made it easier to work and my life less stressful.

Ryan, Math, he/him

Ryan, Math, he/him

Sophomore, Bioengineering

Ask me about

Rubik's cubes and tennis

Notable academic challenge

Studying for IB tests senior year, especially the Spanish test was a real challenge. Trying to study for multiple subjects while keeping up with my other activities was a very difficult feat.

CLUE Tutors: Physics

Mikhail (Lead), Physics, he/they

Mikhail (Lead), Physics, he/they

Senior, Mechanical Engineering

I've taken

PHYS 224, PHYS 225, PHYS 227

Ask me about

Hobby rocketry, sowing, basketball

Notable academic challenge

I bombed my first college midterm because I didn't build study habits in high school! It was a rude awakening but it also helped discover my love for studying which I am very grateful for!

Cameron, Physics, they/them

Cameron, Physics, they/them

Senior, Physics and Astronomy

Ask me about

what book I'm reading or show I'm watching!

Notable academic challenge

In high school, my math teacher asked us to raise our hands if we had studied for a test we took the day before. I had, so I raised my hand. She looked right at me and said, "Really?" with a look of shock on her face. I have never recovered.

Dion, Physics, he/him

Dion, Physics, he/him

Graduate Student, Education (Teacher Preparation)

I've taken

PHYS 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 321, 322, 323, 324, and 401

Ask me about

Marching band/concert bands, Osu!, webnovels

Notable academic challenge

Fall quarter of my junior year I overloaded my schedule with 2 advanced physics classes, 3 bands and teaching a FIG. Every day was long, and I would frequently go to Ode straight from band rehearsals to work on homework or prep for my FIG class. Thankfully I had friends and classmates who I was able to collaborate with, allowing me to get through my mountain of work every week and to finish the quarter off strong.

Cameron, Physics, he/him

Cameron, Physics, he/him

Junior, Comprehensive Physics

I've taken

PHYS 224, 227, 228

Ask me about

Board games and sci-fi/fantasy books. Specifically, Arcs, Root, Stormlight Archives and Name of the Wind are some of my all-time favorites.

Notable academic challenge

I scored a 50% on my first midterm in the equivalent of PHYS 122, electromagnetism. This exam was not curved and so was very sobering. I knew I needed to change something. I doubled my efforts and went to every office hours I could.

Josephine, Physics, she/her

Josephine, Physics, she/her

Junior, Earth and Space Sciences, Minors: Physics + Environmental Science and Terrestrial Resource Management

Ask me about

Native plants, hiking, and reading!

Tutoring philosophy

I got my worst grade in one of my favorite classes (ESS 213 Evolution of the Earth!). It was a perfect storm of disaster -- I didn't study well for the final, turned in a project late, and didn't prioritize learning the material. Despite my lackluster grade, I still learned so much in that class, and I learned in subsequent classes how to improve my study habits and time management skills!

Luke, Physics, he/him

Luke, Physics, he/him

Junior, Aero and Astro Major, Physics minor, Extensive Coursework in CS

I've taken

PHYS 224 & 225

Ask me about

Embedded Systems, Computer programming, Rock Climbing

Notable academic challenge

Chemistry

CLUE Tutors: Writing Center

Hayley (Lead), Writing, she/her

Hayley (Lead), Writing, she/her

Graduate/Professional Student, Computational Linguistics

I've taken

ENGL 392, ENGL 298, ENGL 289, LING 478, LING 462, LING 451

Ask me about

hiking, journaling, music, cooking, soundtracks/scores, and all things Star Wars!

Notable academic challenge

One thing that was difficult transitioning from high school to college, and even from undergrad to graduate school, was finding a system/routine that worked for me. With so much freedom and autonomy over our own schedules, it can get overwhelming to find and perfect the rigid structure and scaffolding that high school provided, with us now in charge of our own discipline. A strategy that I found helpful was using the quarter system to my advantage! Every 10 weeks, we get a clean slate with a new schedule to follow, which gives so many opportunities to experiment with different tools, resources, structures, and systems that I can workshop each quarter until I find a routine that feels the most natural and productive for me. For example, I'm someone that likes to move around, and so when working, I've found that I can make the most of our beautiful campus/area and study-hop! I'll sit for a little in one spot, until I either finish one assignment or make a certain amount of progress, before moving to a different library or cafe to continue working there! This gives me mental resets, helps me move my body, and provides a change of scenery all while physically breaking up a study session. I'm so grateful that we get to have such an amazing environment for exploration and experimentation as we navigate this chapter of our lives!

Carilyn, Writing, she/her

Carilyn, Writing, she/her

Junior, English, Environmental Science minor

I've taken

ENGL 202, ENGL 302, ENGL 284, Humanities first series (101-103), ENGL 283, ENGL 333, Honors 211

Ask me about

Backpacking and hiking, gardening, and reading!

Notable academic challenge

Having to regularly share my writing aloud as part of a creative writing class. I have a lot of difficulty with public speaking, especially when it comes to sharing personal things like poetry, but strategies like getting support from friends in the class and practicing at home really helped me.

Yoojin, Writing, she/her

Yoojin, Writing, she/her

Graduate Student, Linguistics

I'm excited about

I like to explore coffee shops, play piano, watch movies, and spend time with family and friends!

Notable academic challenge

Writing was my worst enemy for a long time--I was a second language speaker of English and essay writing was almost fearful for me. But in high school, I took AP Language and Composition and AP Literature to strengthen my weaknesses. Doing so forever changed my attitude towards writing. With the right organizational skills and motivated mindset, writing became so much approachable and somewhat enjoyable! Eventually it became one of my strong suits and here I am in a Ph.D. program, writing all the time!

Sophia, Writing, she/her

Sophia, Writing, she/her

Junior, History

I've taken

HSTRY 388, HSTAA 402, CLAS 328

Ask me about

Reading, traveling on a budget, and the best places to walk in Seattle

Notable academic challenge

I faced my biggest academic challenge in a tiny seminar class. I looked up to my Professor and my peers so highly that I struggled to participate adequately and questioned my place in both the class and academia as a whole. I found the solution in conquering my fear of asking questions and being wrong. As cliche as it sounds, I found that making mistakes and struggling is integral to true learning.

CLUE Tutors: Exam Review

Devin (Lead), Physics, he/him

Devin (Lead), Physics, he/him

Senior, Physics

Ask me about

Classical & Jazz, Piano, Video Games, Beekeeping

Notable academic challenge

I struggled with not knowing how to prepare for physics exams. I would do practice problems and review my notes, but when I would take the exams, I felt underprepared and confused. After getting help from my professor, I learned different ways to get more value out of the same practice problem and how to apply that to tests.

Tamar, Biology, she/her

Tamar, Biology, she/her

Junior, Cellular, Molecular, Developmental Biology

Ask me about

swimming, reading, hiking, and F1

Notable academic challenge

Coding

Vibhuti, Chemistry, she/her

Vibhuti, Chemistry, she/her

Junior, Biochemistry, Psychology

I've taken

BIOC 450, BIOC 451

Ask me about

F1, guitar, swimming, cooking, sewing, and dogs!

Notable academic challenge

During spring quarter of my sophomore year, I ended up taking a total of 23 credits (horrible idea) which included 14 credits of STEM classes and 3 credits of research. I thought I could handle it, since I had taken heavy courseloads in previous quarters and done well. However, by the end of spring quarter, I was extremely burnt out and exhausted. I found myself unmotivated to do any schoolwork, struggled to focus in my research lab, and my grades took a hit. This challenge taught me about knowing my limits, and the importance of setting boundaries for myself to balance school and my personal life. I ended up taking 21 credits in the fall quarter of my junior year (also a bad idea). While it was still difficult, I was able to use what I learned from spring to balance my workload effectively and I didn't get super burned out by the end of the quarter!

Rin, Chemistry, she/her

Rin, Chemistry, she/her

Junior, Bioengineering, Biochemistry

Ask me about

I love reading! I listen to audiobooks all the time when I can't pick up a physical book!!

Notable academic challenge

During the winter quarter of my freshman year, I took on a very heavy load of STEM courses while also joining a research lab for the first time. Balancing challenging coursework, learning new research skills, and maintaining a personal life proved to be overwhelming. I struggled to manage all of these responsibilities effectively, and it became a turning point in helping me recognize the importance of balance and time management. From this experience, I learned to set more realistic expectations for myself and to prioritize tasks in a way that supports both my academic and personal goals.

John, Math, he/him

John, Math, he/him

Sophomore, Math

I've taken

Math 207, Math 208, Math 224, Math 300, Math 327, Math 402, Math 424

Ask me about

Drumming, guitar, gaming

Notable academic challenge

A big challenge was failing my first math midterm in college. Despite this, I was still able to get back on track and continue studying what I love.

CLUE Tutors: Study Group

Eliana (Lead), Physics, she/her

Eliana (Lead), Physics, she/her

Senior, Chemical Engineering

I've taken

Currently taking PHYS 224 and 227

Ask me about

running, baking, lacrosse, reading, and video games.

Notable academic challenge

My freshman year, I remember walking into one of my physics midterms feeling confident and walking out sure I'd somehow ruined my academic career in one night. Obviously I was being a tad dramatic and after much studying and preparation the rest of quarter went well, but walking out of the exams room and hearing my classmates speak about how well it went for them only made me feel worse. For me, it can become far too easy to get caught up in my failures and missteps and it was a struggle to motivate myself to keep studying when all the effort I put toward my last exam seemed to amount to nothing. However, it is only by persevering through failure that I was able to finish the class strong. In this case, the real failure would have come through giving up.