Breathing Room

So today I took Test 4 in my college algebra summer class. I’ve been so damn neurotic about this test and the upcoming final test. Since Saturday I’ve been studying the old tests I already took, and I think I’ve been better comprehending the problems I’ve missed. But I also feel that thinking, and hoping I’ll improve, will jinx me into under-performing for the upcoming final.

Anyway, on Sunday and Monday I’ve also been dabbling with the newer concepts in the class just to make sure I wouldn’t bomb this test like I almost did with the previous test. I went over the old homework and much to my surprise, I felt pretty confident I sufficiently understood matrices and sequences. But my brain kept nagging. Just like with test three, I thought I understood what I needed to do, only to under-perform and receive a "D." I was so miffed.

I took the test and I realized I knew almost all of the questions on the test. There were two questions that threw me off; one of them was the sum of an infinite geometric mean, and the other was converting a repeating decimal into a fraction. Other than that I answered the remaining questions to the best of my ability.

When I turned in the test to my class instructor I had to leave the room. Again I felt that being there would jinx the grade I was going to receive. Color me neurotic. I come back a minute later from the walk around m-wing, and the instructor says I got a 95% on that test.

Holy shit.

Not only did I completely come back from the mediocre grade from the previous test I took, I also earned the second highest grade on that test in the class.

I’m pretty happy about that accomplishment, but I still worry about the final. I also think the instructor made the test easier than the previous tests. Maybe because he wants his (remaining) students to pass the class? Now that I think about it on the first week of class, the whole class room was filled. Now it is half empty.

In a nut shell, I’m happy about the test I took today. Now I just need to focus on the comprehensive final.

⊗