I had a lot of homework this weekend, and I took advantage of every opportunity presented to me to complain about it.

I whined to my parents over the phone. I grumbled to my friends here at Notre Dame. I griped to my friends at home through AOL Instant Messenger. I was so worried that I would never be able to finish everything. I convinced myself that I was going to fail my theology and economics tests, not to mention every other assignment I would ever have in the rest of my years at Notre Dame. I felt quite sorry for myself as my hands pecked away at my computer's keyboard for hours.

But then I got a reality check.

Sunday night, I heard about a sophomore from Zahm Hall who was recently diagnosed with leukemia. He had been spending the semester in Washington, D.C., but had to return home for treatment. Later, I was reminded about a freshman who is in the hospital fighting a serious case of pneumonia. I have never met that particular freshman and I don't know the sophomore very well. But I am sure these two students did not spend much of their weekend stressing over a potentially low grade. I realized that I should feel priviledged to have nothing more serious to worry about than not having a 4.0 at a prestigious national university.

I should not have needed to be reminded of this lesson. Last semester, on three different occasions, I had to hear over the telephone that my mom had been hospitalized. Spending time talking to her on the phone everyday to cheer her up was more important than perfect grades. Her recovery was more crucial than my GPA. But my mom's health has improved and she has been able to return to work. And so I got wrapped up in myself again.

No one ever really knows when a friend or a family member will become ill, or even worse, die. Why wait for something bad to happen to show those closest to us what they mean to us?

Instead of complaining to my friends and family about having a lot of work, I should have had more pleasant conversations with them and asked them how they were. I should have thanked my parents for giving me the opportunity to study at a school I love. I should have been grateful that I am receiving a wonderful education and that I have wonderful friends who put up with me even when I complain.

So the next time that you are worried about your grades, remember that tomorrow you or someone you love could end up in a hospital bed. Try to remember that there are people in this world who are not as fortunate as you. Enjoy the opportunities you have as a student here. Treat the people in your life a little better. Enjoy the time you have with those people. Remember that there is more to life than your GPA.

• Things could be worse