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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Racer on May 25, 2006, at 21:21:22
I did abysmally badly on the maths final. I don't know when I'll find out how badly I did, although I did let the instructor know that I was having some problems with emotions because of the fertility drugs. (The tear splotches on the test might have clued him in, you never know...) But I felt -- and continue to feel -- pretty misxious about it. That is, I'm partly miserable, and partly anxious...
I was trying to remember, though, if I've ever gotten anything other than an A on a maths test? In college, at least. I don't remember ever having TAKEN a math test in high school, but that was more than 26 years ago, anyway... I'm not sure I ever have. And it's very frightening.
And I was freaking out on the Psych final, too, because I had done badly on the practice exams. I forgot that the actual exams were easier than the practice exams! The instructor there does use the school website, and he promised to have our grades up tomorrow afternoon. I had also told him I was struggling today, and he told me, "Just turn in a scantron with your name on it, and you'll still have an A in the class." He's very nice.
But I checked tonight, and I did better than OK. (He told me today that I'd thrown his curve off on one of the other exams!) And I have an A in the class.
Posted by llrrrpp on May 26, 2006, at 9:27:59
In reply to Finals today..., posted by Racer on May 25, 2006, at 21:21:22
Hi Racer,
You are so clever. The other students probably think you're bonkers for being concerned about your Psych score. Well, it's over now, and it's out of your hands. And you studied well, and you will do fine. MAth... always freaked me out, but if you've tried hard and you're not happy with your grade, you should think about what the grade means to you. It's just a label. A summary for your performance on assignments. It might be related to how well you learned, and how much you learned, but it doesn't have to be. Think about what you got out of the class. Where you were a few months ago, and how far you've come. Think about it like a hurdle. Maybe you nicked your ankle when you jumped over it? Maybe you fell on your bum? So what? In the grand scheme of things it's one test. And then... It's over. a few minutes in the vast space-time continuum. And you can't go back and do things differently, but you can come to peace with how you did. And if you did happen to fall on your bum, you have extenuating circumstances. (like emotional lability). Give yourself a break! If you think it affected your performance enough to tell the profs about it, then tell yourself the same thing. Say to yourself "Hey Racer, your emotions are kind of all over the place. You kind of got distracted on that 3rd question. Your eyes were leaking for some reason. Maybe it wasn't the best exam ever, but it was good enough, and you learned a lot from the class after all."Have a happy friday
-Ll
Posted by Racer on May 26, 2006, at 10:42:37
In reply to Re: Finals today... » Racer, posted by llrrrpp on May 26, 2006, at 9:27:59
I did hear from the instructor, and I got an A in the class, but a B on the final. I'm trying to relax about it, but it bothers me SOOOOOOO much. {sigh}
And it's funny you should mention the drug connection -- see, even as I was telling the instructors that I was struggling because of fertility drugs, I was also flagellating myself for making excuses, and that they'd see through me to the truth, which was that I was a weak, lousy student, loser, failure, etc. Psychopathology in action, huh? I don't give myself a break for those things.
(Mostly I do give some slack to others, but not in all ways. I used to tell my mare that she was entitled to feel lousy when she was in heat -- but she wasn't entitled to express it when it conflicted with my instructions. Then again, I also gave her a bit of a break when she was in heat. As long as she cooperated with me, I could cooperate with her.)
And the next math class starts in six weeks, the next psych class next Tuesday -- summer school, an entire semester in six weeks. Yikes! So, as long as I retain some of the math stuff, I may be OK. I have another chance to do well later.
I love the feeling of mastery I get, though, when I "get" the math. That's about the best feeling I can think of these days -- not doing well, you know? -- so not having it really was devastating.
Yesterday [was like a Hoover].
Posted by llrrrpp on May 27, 2006, at 0:11:10
In reply to Thanks » llrrrpp, posted by Racer on May 26, 2006, at 10:42:37
Hi Racer,
Enjoy your mini-break before the next push starts!You need to remember why you take these classes. If you want to get feedback that you know EVERYthing, and that you're perfect, then take a class you can surely ace. Take something that's so easy that you're guaranteed to get 100% on every assignment and then you won't have to worry about grades. Oh... wait. The reason why we take classes is to stretch our brains, not to confirm what we think we already know. Put yourself out there a little bit. Enjoy the stretch. It's a little uncomfortable, but you're going to feel great in a little while. You will get your grades from this session back, and it will say Racer: Psychology A
and you will see that these little neuroses about perfection are only a blemish in your mind! Don't be so self-critical! Use that A as fuel to tell yourself that not only are you (intrinsically) awesome, but you do good work, and other people think you do good work too. Let them tell you that! Listen to them. The world is trying to tell you something!Good luck with your fertility treatments. I've heard that this can be very uncomfortable. I hope you're able to get out and enjoy yourself some this weekend :)
Love,
Ll
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