Assignment 21 - Cat Lucier - Failing a test

Sophomore year, I took AP Statistics. I really enjoyed the class, and I was good at it. I learned a lot, and it was all very practical and applicable to every day. In November, the unit was on probability; I won't deny that it's not my best topic, but my ability in it is passable. I was gone on a Model UN trip for 4 days the week of the test, and I was more invested in researching and working on my committee than in doing make-up work in our free time at the hotel. I was too confident in my ability to wing it, especially since I was already having some difficulty with the unit. I got back to school and took the test (and I nearly cried while taking it). When it was graded and returned to me, I was horrified to see that I had earned a 68/D on it. I've never gotten even close to that low of a score on a test in my life before. I was disappointed and angry at myself for being cocky enough to brush off the lessons and homework, yet expect a passing grade. I will never make that mistake again. If I miss school, I always make sure to at least read and familiarize myself with any new material, if not practice and do the work from that day too. I don't rely on my ability to wing it with anything - presentations, tests, homework - anymore. I still managed to pull an A as my final grade in AP Statistics because I worked hard to be exceptionally proficient in the topics and units for the rest of the year. Failure is the best way to learn, I think. I'm a more conscientious student, and while that does increase my stress levels a tiny amount, I've improved in my work ethic and my skill at learning itself.