Junior year, second semester: I was in my first-period Spanish class when my teacher’s classroom phone rang. When he answered, he looked directly at me. At first, I was confused. Did I do something wrong? Did something happen to a family member? Am I getting signed out for the day? Millions of thoughts raced through my head. He hung up the phone and walked toward my desk.

“You’re needed in the office,” he said. I nervously packed my belongings.

When I stepped into the office, the attendance secretary said the principal would call me in shortly. There went the questions again. What was going on? My heart raced. As soon as I stepped into the principal’s office, my heart dropped. Sitting in a chair, lividly glaring at me, was my mother. I could see it in her eyes: I was screwed. No one said a word but my vision started to blur as I teared up — my hands, lips and whole body shaking with fear. Growing up, school was never an issue for me. I loved it. I had perfect attendance, straight A’s, and my teachers always praised me. I won awards, including the Novato Inspirational Student Award, which goes to students who demonstrate the six C’s: collaboration, communication, critical thinking, conscientious learner, character and cultural competence.

However, as I progressed through high school, the days grew longer, lessons droned on and my grades started to slip. Junior year was the death of me. The first semester was rocky but nowhere near as bad as my second. My grades took a nosedive. I skipped more classes than I attended, and I lost all motivation to finish out the school day. At times, I’d cut class for more than a week straight, even when I knew we had quizzes. When I missed tests, my conscience grew louder. Should I go to class just for the test? Or should I just say screw it and take a zero? I told myself I would make them up, but I never did.

During this time, I also switched friend groups. I gravitated toward a rebellious bunch whose members encouraged me to skip class more often. Hell, instead of going to school, we would leave right after first period or lunch — or just cut the whole day. I was living life, playing in the sand and swimming at the beach, shopping or relaxing at the park. My actions never had any consequences, even though they clearly did — I just didn’t care.

My mom received emails every Monday with a summary of my current grades, and at the end of each school day at 4 p.m., another email documented my attendance. She knew I was cutting classes, and she knew my grades had plummeted to mostly D’s. She took away my car at least every two weeks. She told me I couldn’t go out; it was school, softball practice, home.

Did I listen to those rules? Hell no. I did whatever I wanted. Unfortunately, this backfired on me once she called the principal for a meeting. Then my progress report landed: Spanish – D; Algebra – D; English – C; History – C+. I had 134 tardies in one semester and 18 truancies. At times, I had 12 or more absences within a week and a half. I had trashed my high school GPA in only one semester. And that’s what landed me here in the principal’s office. The principal told me I was on the verge of failing 11th grade. If I didn’t get my act together, I would have to transfer to an independent study school. He said he knew this wasn’t the type of kid I was; deep down, I knew it, too.

I had to sign a contract promising to attend class and improve my grades, which seemed impossible at the time. How was I going to get better grades before the semester ended? I hated class and I hated being at school for eight hours, but what I hated more was being in trouble all the time.

Turns out I did care, and that’s when I knew I had to change. I started attending class — even my arch nemesis, algebra. I stayed up until 1 a.m. most nights to finish overdue assignments. A couple of weeks later, my friends begged me to cut school and go to the beach with them. Of course, I was tempted. I paused and thought about the contract I’d signed and what my mom would say if she got yet another email about an absence.

“Sorry, no,” I said.

My resolve made me feel better, stronger. I had found the ability to say no to things that would derail me later on. Come senior year, I was back to my old self. I still skipped classes here and there but my grades and attendance rebounded, and my conscience was clear knowing that I wasn’t putting my future at risk. Although my junior year could haunt me with all of its missteps, I refuse to let that academic setback define me. Don’t let one failed grade, semester or year define you.

SRJC resources help students get back on track

For Santa Rosa Junior College counselor Amanda Greene, academic setbacks are personal.

“When you walk into my office now, you don’t see the mile-long transcripts, failed grades, withdrawals and setbacks — you just see the degrees on my wall that say UC Davis (Bachelor’s) and Sac State (Masters) and that’s what I share with my students,” she said. “Your past does not define you. One of the best things about a community college is that you have the opportunity to explore your interests and find yourself before making a long-term commitment to a job or career.”

SRJC offers resources to students looking to get back on track, Greene said. She recommends students who need direction take COUNSELING 6: Introduction to Career Development. It fulfills a local GE area and it transfers to the UC’s and the CSU’s. “In this class, students are able to dive deep into their interests, skills, values and personality and find majors and careers that fit them,” Greene said.

Students can request grade forgiveness or “academic renewal” on up to 24 units. “If you have a D or an F grade that is older than two years, you will most likely qualify for Academic Renewal, which doesn’t remove the grade from your transcript but it does take the grade out of your GPA,” Greene said. “This really helps when someone comes to the JC right out of high school and might not do so well,” Greene said.

Academic setbacks are not uncommon. According to a study produced Aug. 8, 2025 by Capitol Beat News Service, one in five students were considered chronically absent, missing more than 18 days out of the school year. Many students attend SRJC because of academic setbacks in high school or the high cost of four year universities.

On the first floor of Doyle Library and room PC 721 in Mahoney Library on the Petaluma campus, the Tutorial Center offers help with a variety of classes. For free, you can either make an appointment or drop-in with a tutor. The tutors can assist you with math, English and science courses.

Counselors are available on the second floor of the Bertolini Student Center and the Kathleen Doyle Hall on the Petaluma campus to help guide you back on track if you feel lost. “If you are struggling with your academic journey, please connect with a counselor,” Greene said. “We are here to be the bridge between where you are right now and where you want to be.”