Embrace the B

Today I had my first midterm in a long time, and it was OK.  It was nothing spectacular in the least little bit and I’m OK with it.

Now, the Michelle that came to Harvard at the beginning of July would have had a coronary attack by merely typing that sentence.  What!? Take and exam and only do OK?  

Yes, I can take an exam and merely do OK because I have learned to embrace the B.

How did I learn to embrace the B?  I decided that I needed to be strategic.  I only have one year to live inside the Harvard “bubble”.  It is during this time that I have to soak up all the knowledge that I can and attempt to make it relevant to where I am now and where I want my career go. This is the time for me to make lasting friendships and career contacts. This is the time for me to go to a JFK Forum event and ask a world leader a question and for them to seriously consider an answer and direct it back towards me personally.

However, I have my limitations as a student. Especially as an older student who is still dusting the cobwebs off the seldom used portions of my brain.  I cannot enjoy my life within the bubble while striving for perfection on papers and exams.  Don’t get me wrong.  I give every assignment the best effort that I can at the time.  But if I get a B on an exam, it won’t be the end of the world.

I only need a B average to skip across the stage and claim my Harvard diploma. I have no plans for another advanced degree. The only people who will know my grades will be me, my instructor and the Harvard registrar.

If they’re not telling, neither am I.