As I watch my fellow classmates freak out about our first midblock exam, I feel myself drawn into contagious panic. It seems like the right thing to do; isn't it natural to be anxious in the face of uncertainty? None of us know exactly what the structure of the quiz is. There are 90 questions in two hours. This doesn't leave much time for improvisation. The curriculum has had a makeover and none of our previous exams accurately reflect the upcoming test material.
There is too much to learn. Too many subjects across too many fields. We cannot grasp it all at once. We are swimming in unstructured facts, mired in indecision. We lack direction.
But when I take a step backwards and look at the situation, it looks a little smaller. Another few steps, and it shrinks even more. Gradually, I begin to see the entire situation, all at once. Getting my bearings, I now dive inwards, from the outside in, and the problem is more manageable.
The Litany of Fear:
I will not fear. Fear is the mind killer. Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will allow it to pass over me and through me. And when it has passed I will turn the inner eye to look upon its path. Where it has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.
For a prepared mind, test is a show-off time.
ReplyDeletePlease be humble, at least pretentiously :-)
The anxiety IS contagious! To be fair, knowing an entire semester of biochem in under a week is pretty demanding, but yes, we can do it!
ReplyDeleteThe problem is how you see the problem.
ReplyDeleteYou are like a laser pen. if you can really master the breaking-through skill like you just described, you will succeed in whatever you do. very admire you!