164. Do you believe that your academic record accurately reflects your abilities? Explain.
I walked into the classroom thinking that I had prepared as much as I could. The night before, I had slept early so that I could get up early as possible on the day of my test to review whatever we had covered in class. I had read almost 40 pages the day before and had reviewed my notes this morning.
Okay, first I must admit that I had been slacking off in this class. I mean, it was government and politics! Additionally, the teacher was new and although we had heard great things about him from when he was a teacher here, I don't know, some 20 years ago, he wasn't what you called your favorite. However, after seeing a mere 5 scribbled on my quiz paper previously, I was determined to pull up my grade now. It was much needed because I want to do law in the future, and to show colleges that I ended up with a D in that class wouldn't be a very good idea.
Feeling quite prepared, I took my seat next to my two other friends. Known as the "three ladies in the back row" to the teacher, we didn't participate too much in class. But, today, we were all frantically flipping through the class notes, trying to capture it all in our minds. Soon enough, the teacher came, distributed the paper, and took his spot on front desk. We started the test.
As of this moment, I don't recall exactly what was on the test. However, there was a section with multiple choices and a writing section. Struggling like I was running up Sagarmatha, I got through the first section. When I came over to the second one, I noticed that I could scribble something down for almost all the questions there. Breathing a sigh of relief, I started moving my hand at top speed. After getting through all questions, I looked went back and quickly skimmed through my writing, correcting some errors. I went back to the multiple section too, making sure I had selected logical answers, handed the staple packet to the teacher, and flopped back on my chair.
I had done my best. I had tried my hardest and gave the test everything I could. There was nothing else I could do. And, I was a little confident on the writing parts so I thought this time, maybe I scratch up a B. Happily, I left the classroom.
But, the next class wasn't as I was expecting it to be. As the teacher handed out the papers, I prayed and prayed that I would get a B at least. After all, I had really given the preparation my best. He handed me the papers. Heart beating like the drums in the background of the movies when the hero is about to get his head ripped off by a giant squid with sharp, white teeth, but somehow managed to get around it and poke its eyes out, I looked at the paper. There it was, in blue ink, a 7 out of 14 in the multiple question. As I flipped over hoping for a better score, I saw that I had gotten a 16 on the writing section. My heart fell. I had still only managed to pass. I was frustrated. I got angry. I didn't understand what was wrong. Was I not smart enough for the subject? Did my brain not work as quickly as I thought it did? Or was there something wrong with the teacher? I didn't even know what I had scored out of in the second section, but I later heard that it was out of a thirty something. Wow. I had failed.
I have the ability to work hard. I have the ability to give something my best and hope for the best. I have the ability to work harder to achieve my goals. And yet, a number managed to replace it all. What utter disappointment.
