It's about halfway through the term. The workload has increased and you've been taking and getting back multiple quizzes, papers and exams. Something all students have in common is the overwhelming anxiety when the professor announces they'll be handing back grades of any sort. Here's a chronological list of thoughts that will run through you're head as you get back all of those unmentionable grades.
1. When the prof announces they'll be handing exams back.
2. When they then inform you that the class average was just "OK."
And you know you fall in the lower half of that average.