I was a terrible student. I ditched classes, didn't do my homework, and lied to my parents about it. And all for no good reason. I wasn't drinking or doing drugs. I didn't go to wild parties or hang out with boys. I just plain loathed high school.
Then I turned 16. Everyone thought it'd be best for me to move on. I took a test, passed, received my "diploma" and enrolled in classes at the junior college. The first thing I had to do was placement testing. You'd think this would be the easy part. I mean, it's not like you can fail your placement exams. However, I was nervous when I arrived. I didn't know what to expect. I was a snot-nosed 16-year-old kid. I didn't belong.
The fact is, from the moment I entered high school, I felt out of place. (I blame it on the fact that I was late to my very first day.) To make matters worse, I switched high schools just three months into my freshman year. Talk about a horrifying experience. I didn't know anyone. I felt like there was a huge neon "LOSER" sign hovering above my head.
Those feelings feelings were hard to shake and lingered even after I left. Sitting in a room full of college-aged kids absolutely made my skin crawl.
The test started and things were going smoothly. The room was dead silent. As only a room full of strangers can be. Of course, in my pea-sized brain, I still saw that sign flashing above me. I was sure if push came to shove, everyone in the room would band together in their contempt for me. (Yes, I was very self-centered. As only a 16-year-old can be.)
An hour into the test and, wouldn't you know it, my stomach started to growl. Loudly. (Guess I should have eaten breakfast.) I was mortified, sure everyone could hear my rebellious stomach. Every time it grumbled, I'd sit up straighter... or slouch back... or cross my legs. Anything that might drown out the sound I was sure was reverberating throughout the room.
Chances are, no one heard it. Stomach growling is pretty much like chewing. Both sound louder in your own head. And even if my neighbors did hear it... WHO CARES? It's not like I had uncontrollable flatulence. I was hungry. Hungry. That's all.
However, even though I'm an adult now and I realize that it was nothing to get worked up over, I did learn my lesson. You see, a few weeks ago I applied and was accepted to a local college. And guess what? I get to retake my placement exams. I tried to tell them it had only been ten years since I was last in school and how much could I have possibly forgotten (a lot) but they wouldn't hear of it.
I get to take the exams on Wednesday. And you're damn right I'm going to eat breakfast before I go.
I'm still a bit nervous... but at least the flashing loser sign is gone.
Good for you sweet pea! Lots of prayers headed your way. You are gonna do great!
ReplyDeleteGood for you!
ReplyDeleteIt won't be that bad, promise. I went to 7, yes that's 7, different colleges (both 2yr and 4yr) over 9 years before I finally got my degree. i took A LOT of placement tests. I also ended up having to re-take a lot of courses. It's an administration thing combined with time. I stopped math in high school after passing pre-calc. I had to go 2 math courses back when I went to college because pre-calc in 11th grade is not remembered by the time you get into college. I also changed my major a bazillion times and by the time I figured out I wanted to be a science major I had to re-take chem 101. Chem 101. I got my eventual degree in chemistry but I had to repeat chem 101. Don't take these tests too seriously, you can't fail them and even if you end up in something you think is remedial believe me, it's not. The whole point is learning and you will learn some thing from each and every course you take. As long as you SHOW UP.
ReplyDeleteYeah for you.By the way ... I am sure you did but did you see Eclipse? Thats all I did this past weekend. It was like Eclipse on repeat!
ReplyDeleteSending you some positive vibes tomorrow!! Good luck :)
ReplyDeleteOh, yay you. Good job and good luck!
ReplyDeleteNo way you had a loser sign over you...you are too cool for school Chica! :) I had the exact same feelings about high school....it was my hell realized but my mother would have killed me before she would have let me drop out. I often skipped, especially my first period class when I was a senior ~ Government (yawn) and the teacher was a troll. Of course during my senior year I was outta there by 10:30 every morning so I managed to hang in there and graduate. Congrats on the acceptance...deep breaths before the test. I have considered taking some classes myself but I think I forgot how to study so I haven't explored it further. You are my new hero.
ReplyDeleteYou GO.
ReplyDeleteGive 'em hell girl! (and yes, good for you!!!!)
ReplyDeleteLOL! When I was in Junior High, in the middle of a test my stomach growled. Loudly. And everyone laughed. Needless to say, I was mortified and still remember it like it was yesterday. Anyway, GOOD LUCK! You'll rock it, I am sure. Good for you going for this!!
ReplyDeleteYou are so very clearly smart and talented you will do amazing in school. My husband just started college at the age of 32. I'm so proud of him and he is acing his classes. Adjusting to life as a student was kinda hard, but he's so happy he decided to go. I gave him my "Forgotten Algebra" book (don't laugh it got me through grad school) and he aced his entrance classes. It takes no time at all to flip through it and remember what you forgot. You will do great on your exam. Just remember - you are awesome.
ReplyDelete