Liberation

I remember trying to calculate my grade before grades would come out.  I remember summing up my grades before a final exam, trying to figure out what the lowest score I could get to achieve an A (or a B).  I remember multiplying quiz grades with anticipated participation points and homework grades and all sorts of complicated metrics.  

I had a scare today that made me realize how lucky I am to have left all that.  I suppose it's an easy sentiment to escape most of you.  Most of you are not still in school in your third decade.  But here I am, still taking classes, doing problem sets, and sitting through exams.  But without the grade anxiety.  

That is the beauty of 20 years of schooling.  There are no more schools to apply for.  I just don't care about my grades anymore.  And even if there were, I have gotten by very far whilst doing very little assigned reading.   

That cavalier attitude was almost tested this afternoon.  For a few hours, I was convinced that I'd get a C.  I also managed to convince Liz that she was about to get a C.  It would have been beautifully symmetric.  We'd have 3 apiece.  One each from high school, college, and now grad school.  I didn't need to do any math.  There was no leeway.  I was fairly certain that a C average plus a C average would result in a solid C.  Not that there's anything wrong with that.  Except for my calculations.  

Apparently, if you take a C average plus a C average, and add generous, merciful grade inflation, you get a solid B.