The next time I had calculus class some of the students began to express their concerns about the test.  One girl asked if the questions that Dr. Carey had given us before would be like the question on the test.  “The problems on the test will be exactly like the review problems,” he answered.  I wish I could have seen the look on my face at that moment.  My mouth must dropped to the floor.  Immediately I felt a wave of fear and anxiety wash over my body.  What would I do?  How could I possibly pass this test?  Already I was behind schedule on studying for chemistry.  To pass this test I would have to redouble my studying efforts and that required time I didn’t have.  I was screwed.

Everyone that had Dr. Carey couldn’t believe that he was going to give us such a hard test.  I found that when I sat and worked out the problems there were only two that I correctly answered.  The rest of the problems were beyond me.  As I thought more and more about the test, the angrier I got.  This would make the third time that I had had a calculus class and there was no reason why I should do poorly.  I knew and understood everything that had been covered thus far so it should be a piece of cake.  But instead I was worried to death about a test that I should pass in my sleep. 

Even though I had worried about the test, I still put it off till the last minute thinking it couldn’t be that bad.  The day before the test, or should I say night, was the first time I attempted working the problems.  I sat down with a few of my friends and we worked through a few problems but didn’t get very far.  We called it quits and I figured that a good night of sleep would help me better than cramming all night.

 

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