I got my grades... 4.0!
Why do I worry so?
Michael said...
It’s just a habit. You can change it, if you want to.
The people who love you will not stop loving you if you do poorly in school.
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Test Anxiety
I remember when I was in 2nd grade, I brought home a history paper with a score of 98. My father looked at it, looked at me, and said, "Where's the two points?" From that day forward, I've always put undue pressure on myself to get perfect test scores. Unreasonable, I know, but still...
Today I took my final exam in Organizational Behavior. I get so nervous before the test that I am actually nauseous, and during the test I actually have trouble breathing. It's almost as though I am panicking about something. And after it is all over, and the computer kicks back my score, the nausea fades, and my breathing slowly returns to normal. I got a 96, which is really not bad.
Fortunately for me, there are no final exams for my Sociology or Consumer Finance classes. The final in Algebra I is tomorrow. Then that's it. I'll have lived through my first semester. Hopefully, as time goes on, the anxiety will fade. I've got a long way to go to get my Bachelors. I really don't need to be putting myself through this at the end of every semester.
Michael said...
>My father looked at it, looked at me, and said, "Where's the two points?"
I’ve thought a lot about this – I think he was curious or genuinely puzzled, not interrogative. Dad has always said, “Hey, nobody ever asks where you finished in your class.” (Which isn’t really true, but it illustrates his casual attitude.)
Dad is easygoing, but it was mom who was torquemada. Remember that it was she who continually wanted achievement so it would bring kudos to the religion.
Torquemada is dead, and dad just wants you to be happy. Take a deep breath, let a wave of relaxation flow over you. Life is good.
Serena said... I did ask Dad about this in later years. He was joking. Unfortunately, at that point in my life, I didn’t understand and took his comment to heart. It’s one of many things I make an effort to work on – overcoming my childhood. You are so right about torquemada. Breathing during exams will become even easier in time.
Today I took my final exam in Organizational Behavior. I get so nervous before the test that I am actually nauseous, and during the test I actually have trouble breathing. It's almost as though I am panicking about something. And after it is all over, and the computer kicks back my score, the nausea fades, and my breathing slowly returns to normal. I got a 96, which is really not bad.
Fortunately for me, there are no final exams for my Sociology or Consumer Finance classes. The final in Algebra I is tomorrow. Then that's it. I'll have lived through my first semester. Hopefully, as time goes on, the anxiety will fade. I've got a long way to go to get my Bachelors. I really don't need to be putting myself through this at the end of every semester.
Michael said...
>My father looked at it, looked at me, and said, "Where's the two points?"
I’ve thought a lot about this – I think he was curious or genuinely puzzled, not interrogative. Dad has always said, “Hey, nobody ever asks where you finished in your class.” (Which isn’t really true, but it illustrates his casual attitude.)
Dad is easygoing, but it was mom who was torquemada. Remember that it was she who continually wanted achievement so it would bring kudos to the religion.
Torquemada is dead, and dad just wants you to be happy. Take a deep breath, let a wave of relaxation flow over you. Life is good.
Serena said... I did ask Dad about this in later years. He was joking. Unfortunately, at that point in my life, I didn’t understand and took his comment to heart. It’s one of many things I make an effort to work on – overcoming my childhood.
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Finals
Finals are next week-the first exams I've taken in 25 years. I can' t believe my first semester is almost over. Next semester I'm registered for macroeconomics, English composition, accounting I and algebra II. I love math.
But first I have to get through finals. I'm nervous, but I figure it this way. With a 95 average, even if I completely blow the exams, I'll still pass. I just gotta remember to breathe.
Michael said...
You go, girl.
But first I have to get through finals. I'm nervous, but I figure it this way. With a 95 average, even if I completely blow the exams, I'll still pass. I just gotta remember to breathe.
Michael said...
You go, girl.
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