Our first test for Micro Lecture is Tuesday. So, naturally, we’ve been trying to review and prepare ourselves, as best we can. On the way out of class this morning, one of my classmates asked me if I thought the test would be difficult.

This guy is a very nice, athletically inclined young man (as indicated by his athletic build and daily uniform of running shorts, tank top, and sneakers) and I’m sure he’s very intelligent and extraordinarily gifted in many ways. However, in this class, he appears to keep his gifts hidden or perhaps he’s a little lazy. 🤫 He generally keeps his head down, avoids all eye contact, and tries way too hard to appear to be deeply engrossed in taking notes. 🙇🏻‍♂️ So as not to accidentally volunteer (or be voluntold) to answer any questions. (Pro tip 👉🏻 If you’re considering this method of avoidance, don’t. I’ve done my own research on the subject and I can tell you it’s highly ineffective. In fact, I have reason to believe that it produces intense pheromones that actually increase the probability that you will be called on.😒)

When he’s inevitably addressed by the instructor, he panics and begins shuffling through his notebook for a hint. Unfortunately, he doesn’t seem to have done any work outside the classroom that might afford him the hint for which he’s searching. 😳 It’s a bit uncomfortable to watch, since:
1. I can relate to the anxiety of not knowing an answer, while being put on the spot, and
2. Other people (sometimes me…😬), who know the answer, have to sit in agonizing silence while he endures academic hazing. 😕

I am not a dream crusher. I don’t want to be the person who splashes young, hopeful, blissfully unaware people in the face with the ice bucket challenge that is reality. But I also don’t want to sugarcoat the truth when someone asks me a specific question. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I also like to believe that I can help most anyone. Maybe our paths crossed intentionally and I can help you help yourself. 😃

So, I looked this future pro athlete in his wide, blue eyes 👀 and told him that I feel like the difficulty of most tests is very subjective. 😊We’ve all been given a comprehensive study guide, featuring the exact information that will likely be on the test; we have the option to answer practice questions online; we’re all assigned to groups of people who can help us better prepare and understand the material; and Ms. P said we can always email or speak with her if we feel like we need extra help. I also added the advice that a lot of people have been giving me, that your attitude and positive thoughts can make a huge difference. 💁🏻‍♀️

I was feeling pretty good about the answer I gave him and started to wonder what an appropriate rate for a life coach in this area might be… 🧐

In an attempt to make sure he understood, he asked, “So, what you’re saying is, it’s really up to us how we do?” 🤔

Satisfied that I’d gotten through to him and changed his life, I smiled and said, “Yes, exactly!” 😁

He looked off into the distance for a minute before saying, “Well that sucks, I’m gonna fail.” 🤦🏻‍♀️ And then he walked away. Apparently this was his introduction to the painful realization that he will forever be the reluctant master of his own fate. 😬

For now, I guess I’m gonna hold off on that whole life coaching career. 🙄