The Difference between Doing Well and Thinking You're Doing Well

There is an immense difference between doing well in your classes and the illusion of success. I've had the pleasure (or pain) of learning this lesson first hand. My first semester I had the opportunity to learn this lesson first-hand.
I began at IU with good intentions and high hopes. I had a large to-do list and I was determined to succeed. I was going to take 17 hours, work, and pledge all at the same time. I was going to do it all and do it well; and for month I did. I was on top of the world and my classes too.
And then the illusion started to slip into my mind. I began to slip a little in my classes. Instead of immediately addressing the problem I just pondered it, then moved it to a dusty corner of my head. This is where I made a turn in the road. I was clouded with the storm of life that I didn't see that I'd made a turn off the right road. I just continued to drive not knowing where I was going. 3/4's of the semester in and came to a clearing. I realized I was headed for a rough semester. But once again I just pushed the idea of trying out sight and went back to my delinquent activities.
The illusion I speak of takes it's form differently in each of us all to a different degree. It's easy to think it out of mind and go back to your same lifestyle. The defining moment comes when you face your demons and make a conscious effort to rid yourself of them instead of letting them slip back inside you. For me it's been a long insightful road. I've had to change the way I approach every day. I'm still learning, but at least I'm doing something.