Monday night was the first time I’ve been enrolled in college since… well, since I graduated from college roughly seven years ago (yes, I feel old, let’s just skip that).  Sitting in that classroom, waiting for the teacher and/or other classmates to enter, I wondered how I would measure up.  I was nervous, so much so that my stomach was all funky, like it was full of play-doe.  And then…

Half hour later, when the class was full and the teacher was present, it all came back.  Yes, it seems that Student Girl is not dead, in fact, I’m just as annoying as I was back then.  Maybe more so.  My first day of class and I:

1. Showed up a full half hour early

2. Had not only purchased the textbook, but the workbook as well, and had brought both to class

3. Had read Chapter 1 in its entirety, taking notes, including all definitions verbatim from the book

4. Done some of the practice exercises at the back of the chapter to make sure I understood what I had read

Seriously, I have some sort of problem in which I have to know and understand absolutely everything I can about absolutely everything I’m attempting to learn.  Which, I realize, is not a problem in itself, only I’m compulsive about it.  I cannot NOT do it.  I knew I had class today, so I had to be so over-prepared – not because I want to be a smart***, but because I’m afraid of being under-prepared.  I never want to not have the answer when called upon.  In truth, I never want to be called upon, but in the case it can’t be avoided, I want to have the answer.

On top of which, I have already evaluated the class and decided that accepting anything less than perfection will be an impossibility for me.  Why?  Well, the teacher gives surprise quizzes which do not harm your grade at all, but they can add positive points to the tests she gives.  Meaning, there is a possibility of better than perfect grades.  Additionally, the final exam is optional and can be taken to either take the place of or better the score of one of the previous tests.  Once again, the possibility of bettering a past mistake to the point of perfection.  It is too much for my little brain to handle – I must attain perfection in this class.