[Avaa]

I had a weird experience today, and this has happened before... I just wanted to see what you thought about it.

I am sophomore in college (a non-traditional student) and while I didn't do too great in school in the past (average grades) I am doing quite well now. Well, I have started to place these expectations on myself. I feel that if I get anything less than an A on anything, it is failure. One class that I have been making good grades in is my Writing 2 class. I typically make A's on everything. Well, I just got back a research paper, and I made an 88% on it because I cited my sources wrong. I felt like a complete idiot. I talked to my teacher after class and told her that I honestly thought that was the way to do it...etc. I told her I was embarrassed by such a silly mistake. She didn't seem to think it was a big deal at all, she told me I was a good writer, and that I should not be worried about it. The problem was, the whole time I was talking to her, I was about to cry. I HATE it when that happens! I get embarrassed or out of my element and all of a sudden I get all nervous to the point that my eyes well up and I can't control the tears. This time I was able to hold back and I don't think she noticed. Thank Goodness. I would have felt like a total loser if I had cried over something like that in front of a professor!

Do you feel like that?

[Myzen]

Hi Avaa,

A couple of things. It feels like you are being a bit hard on yourself; I know this happens with a lot of students.

Also, the thing about grades. I didn't get great grades in my degree course and then at the end I got a very good degree. Another guy I knew got brilliant grades through the course and a lousy degree. It was all down to how we did the exams at the end.

I remember that students were always going on about grades and it took some pleasure out of the subject for me. I have enjoyed my subject much more since I finished university.

I hope you can ease up on the anxiety a bit, maybe some counselling would help. I think that health and peace of mind is the most important thing for all of us.

Goos luck, Myzen