That Awkward Moment When the Only Thing You Know on a Test is Your Name

It is funny how much a mind can go blank while under pressure. You have been studying for such a long time and then all of a sudden, as if a hammer hit your head, you stare at the test questions in front of you and you can´t make heads or tails of it. All those letters in font size 12 are trying to say something that you cannot decipher. You look at the teacher at the front of the room sitting at her desk and as the sweat pours down your face you slowly raise your hand.

Although the teacher always says that there is no such thing as a stupid question in a classroom because everyone is there to learn, you know that the words that are about to come out of your mouth in the question format is stupid. You suspicion has become reality when the teacher answers `But of course´ and gives you the look that reads `You have the nerve to ask such a stupid question.´

You know that all your classmates are laughing inside, each one their way. Some out of hysteria because like you, they know nothing about the subject on the test; and others, out of spite because they are not alone in their misery.

`I should have studied. Why did I not pay attention in class? I shouldn´t have gone to that party on Saturday and get so wasted that Sunday I ended up sick all day.´ These are just a few thoughts that pop up in your mind to try to make you feel better. Then out of the blue, the teacher says `15 more minutes´. Panic strikes! The sweat increases. You feel as if your heart is going to explode. You look at the questions again and give it a try.

`Your time is up. Drop your pens.´ Up you go to hand in your test. The teacher takes one magnifying look and says `Didn´t study, did you? ´ You are busted. Those few lines were not enough to fool the teacher.  In the end you are pretty much convinced that teachers have this unexplainable power to know what goes on in each and every student's mind. Perhaps it is something they learn at university or a gift they are born with. With that being said, you smile, grab your books and head out the door feeling miserable.  

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(Written November 12, 2013) Todos os direitos reservados a Meire Marion.