Thursday, October 31, 2013

Reflection on 1st Quarter

It's astounding and mind-shocking when you realize that the tests we take tomorrow can ultimately change our life. Think about it. If we test poorly, we ruin our chances of receiving an A in the quarter. Consequently, that quarter grade, which is worth 40% or 42.5%, takes away your chance to achieve an A in the overall semester. It will be mathematically impossible to achieve it, let alone emotionally. You work your butt off and finish with a 93 at the end of semester. Not bad right? I mean... its a 93!! You think to yourself, "Good work! You broke even! Do good on your midterm and you're good to go!" Now, if you calculate the test score needed to finish with an A overall, you need a 93.. a NINETY-THREE on the midterm exam that encompasses everything from the start of the school year to the finish of the 1st semester. If your GPA significantly decreases, say goodbye to Yale. Say goodbye to Stanford. Say goodbye to Michigan.  Every test that we take can decide whether we go into a prestigious school like Michigan or a trashy school like Michigan State (in honor of Saturday's exciting game between Michigan and Michigan State!!!). Once your GPA drops, you might as well say goodbye to  the college of your dreams. 

As I think about this current major problem in my life, one clear solution is the need for the clutch factor. Yes, I said it. The clutch factor. The clutch factor is the ability to perform under pressure in situations that have the most impact. For example, if you take an exam worth 500 points and you get a high grade in this type of stressful and impacting situation, that is CLUTCH. You came into the test and simply beat the odds. 

Some things I found relatively humorous were the complete contrasts in the definition of clutch. One connotation of cluth is performing under pressure. However, another connotation of clutch is becoming nervous and panicked, in other words, choking. Choking is the INABILITY to perform at a crucial point. In sports, failing to perform in crucial points or contests due to failure of nerve is choking; it is simply unacceptable to lose that huge opportunity because of such little things like nerves. In school, it's just not worth it to sacrifice your grade because of silly mistakes or completely terrible test-taking strategies. In this perspective, it's not a matter of how much you practice or study; it's all comes down to the game or test or whatever it may be. You can be a genius, but if you can't take a test, you are doomed to fail. You must succeed in the tests, head-on and with no doubts. It's ironic that one definition of clutch means to successfully impact in the most important moments, whereas another definition of clutch is the "inability to perform" and become indecisive. It's almost like a 50/50 scale. You tip over to one side and you have the positive clutch connotation; tip over to the other side and you might as well cry yourself to sleep. In the end, it's up to the individual to find methods to follow the path of "clutching," the ability to perform under pressure whether in the classroom or on the court.

4 comments:

  1. If I recall correctly, last week your post was about not giving up, so I think you should keep following your mottos. Don't change them if you get bad grades. "Don't give up on your dreams and your dreams will never give up on you."(Thieu)

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  2. Although this is a very well constructed post, I recognize your opening paragraph from a status you posted earlier this week on Facebook. Are you sure you're allowed to do that?

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    1. You're so funny, Jason. I admire your tenacity. I wrote this blog to expand on my beliefs posted on Facebook. I had only so much space to write my status, but so many room here to express my true feelings on the past few weeks. May I also direct your attention to the fact that the renowned university Widener University defined plagiarism as "to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own." Clearly, these are my own thoughts and ideas; they not are not anybody's, but mine. I have simply used my beliefs and expanded on them on this week's blog.

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