I wish I'd had a Han Solo to set me straight before I took a test on Monday. Sadly, it was failure and not a stylish Harrison Ford that led me to re-evaluate a few things.
I almost have my minor in mathematics. Back in high school, I took enough math classes that I figured I only needed 3 more classes at BYU to get my minor. I've taken Fundamentals of Mathematics, Linear Algebra, and Ordinary Differential Equations, and enjoyed them all. (Not even kidding. Math classes can drive you mad, but there's no denying that you get tight with the people who go through the inferno with you. Math friends are friends for life.) I thought I'd taken all the classes necessary to add a nice little bullet to my resume, but turns out the joke was on me. By the time I got around to actually declaring my minor, I found out I hadn't gotten credit for a Calculus class I'd taken back sophomore year of high school. I'd only gotten a 3 on the AP test, and BYU requires a 5. Turns out, I'd have to take a substitute class. The adviser recommended Math 118, Finite Mathematics.
I wasn't very enthusiastic about having to take a 100-level math class, but I sucked up my complaints and signed up for the class. I figured it would be a joke, and I could breeze through no problem. Please, I had my Math Minor (almost).
And so began my downfall.
I went to the first three lectures and then ditched the rest of them. I can honestly say that until this class, the only class I've ever intentionally skipped was my Flexibility class last semester. The professor took 75 minutes to teach what I thought should have taken maybe 30. It was all probabilities and sets, nothing I hadn't dealt with before. I figured if I could do the homework and glance at the textbook occasionally, I'd be just fine.
I took the first midterm for the class this past Monday, and I did not do well. So many things went wrong, and it was all because I hadn't prepared like I always, always, always do.
As much of a shock as those numbers were on the screen, it was also a much-needed humbling experience. I'd tried reaping the benefits of success without putting in the hours. Consequentially, I'd learned that it doesn't work. (duh). I'm well aware I have the potential to do well in the class, but I won't get there without effort. Life's like that in a lot of ways--the potential is there, but it takes hard work, motivation, and consistent dedication to realize those fruits. That's how it is with dating and relationships, with musical talents, with athletic abilities; why wouldn't the same rules apply to education?
Thanks to this test, I know I need to put more effort into the areas I want to succeed in. That'll take more prioritizing, but that's just life. I still won't be going to lectures (because I got cocky and said I could work during those hours since I didn't think I'd need to attend the lectures) but I'll be carefully reading the text, taking down good notes, and frequently heading back to my old stomping grounds, the Math Lab in the Talmadge Building. One's thing for sure - you can bet I'll be staring at a "Fantastic!" the next time I walk out those testing center doors.
I love your comments about math. I love math too! My first major, when I started here at BYU was Mathematics Education. Math just made sense to me. I loved numbers. Nothing seemed to go wrong. Well I did the same mistake and I did not study for my first test either. I did realize that I needed to work hard, and not assume my mind would remember everything. I guess I was wishing on stars too much.
ReplyDeleteI do not think that it is wrong to wish on a star every now and again, but like Papa from Princess and the Frog always stated, "But remember Tiana, that old star can only take you part of the way. You got to help it along with some hard work of your own." You can wish for your dreams to come true, but sometimes you have to make them happen with some hard work. Your dreams and life have potential. Everything has potential. The potential comes from hard work, motivation, and consistent dedication.
Thanks for sharing! I hope that your next test goes well. I know it will, because you realize that hard work makes your dreams come true. Good luck! Go get that minor in Math.
Fantastic thoughts that you shared about hard work and success. I also enjoyed all of the analogies and references you made, especially to Star Wars! One of my favorite movie series/video game series/everything series ever ha. I just wanted to comment on how much I agree with you about the importance of hard work. Unfortunately it seems in today's society that the majority of us just have this issue with "entitlement", that we're all looking to get as much as we possibly can for absolutely no effort on our parts. It's absolutely ridiculous, especially seeing as work is an eternal principle. Of course I'm lazy at times as well but I'm definitely coming to appreciate more and more the blessings of hard work. Keep up the good work and dominate that math class! and thank you for being an example of hard work in everything that you do!
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It is great that you are sharing your failures! I always found it interesting that when we get over confident, we tend to embarrass ourselves with our own failures. I found this to be especially true when it comes to the gospel. We feel that we put in the time studying and praying and say to ourselves that we can go a day or two without scripture study and prayer. And while we might not end up dealing drugs in a van down by the river or other dire actions, we lose a certain amount of happiness and hinder progress. Thanks for sharing =D
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