It was bound to happen; the day came when you took a test you were horribly unprepared for and destined to do poorly on. You simply cannot do well on every test. There is undoubtedly going to be one (or several) you just can't manage to search your already-stuffed memory banks for to remember the answer. If that day came, you know all too well the cycle of emotions that comes along with it; if that day has not yet come, prepare yourself.
First came the anticipation; waiting in class for the paper to be regretfully handed back with the swift folded and upside-down method. On the outside you knew you had done badly, yet deep down, way down, there was still a twinge of hope and excitement.
The time came when you flipped over the paper and saw the grade, grossly written in bright red ink. Spanned across the top of the page was a sight for sore eyes, the grade you did not want to believe; yet there it was blankly staring at you in the face like some demon.
You got the grade, now came the rollercoaster of emotions. First, the utter despair of the entire situation. The failing grade, which lead to the failing class, which lead to failing college, and ultimately dropping out; or at least, this is how you pictured it.
Then came the most notable emotion: anger. The grade was merely a catalyst to set you off on a rampage of anger. This is truly the crucial period where emotion is at its highest; cursing the professor, the way it was taught and even the subject itself (who needs chemistry anyway?).
After anger followed the usual "I don't care" type of attitude. You act like you're better than some grade, in fact you're better than everyone else because you don't care. In reality, it's just a coping mechanism to hide your true feelings.
Last, but certainly not least, was the hopeful feeling that maybe, just maybe, you will do better on the next test. It didn't seem to go your way that time but who knows about the next time? You could tap into your inner genius and come out on top, better than that red-eyed grade staring at you, haunting your very existence.
