I was still a timid, overwhelmed freshman when I sat down in my Ancients class. Since this class, if required for freshmen, I hadn't chosen it myself and therefore had no clue what it was going to entail. My professor introduced the class as a discussions-based on the reading we would be required to do outside of class. "That explains the 6 books I had to buy for this class," I thought.

In general, it was a classic syllabus day. I got the low down on how the class would run, how I'd be graded, the typical first-day lecture. No phones in class, don't sleep through class or show up late and half awake and so on.

In between paying attention I thought of everything else I had to do, and how my workload was going to pan out. I was pretty confident I would be able to manage the seemingly classic English class.

But, it didn't take long for my classic English class impression to disappear. It all changed when my Professor introduced very first assignment. I was zoning out, ready for class to be over when the thought of the first grade shocked me back into paying attention. He described it as a typical five-page essay assignment, blah blah blah.... However, the very last word of his introduction threw me for a loop and my ears shot open.

"So, class, your obituaries will be due next Tuesday."

Sorry, what?!?!

Yes, that's right. My first college essay ever was my own obituary. It's safe to say I was confused to receive this assignment, not particularly wanting to think about my own death. But, my professor insisted it was an honor to have the creativity to decide how we died.

So, without really having a choose, I described my own death (freak car accident) and life accomplishments. In some twisted way, If I was going to write my own obituary I had to at least make it seem like I had some potential.

At the end of the day, my obituary was a success- scoring me a 3/3 as my first grade of college. I'm just glad I was truly alive to see it.

What a good start to my college education- right?!?!