And the Statistics Gods Smiled Down On Me

I've been studying and completing work for my final statistics exam. It has been grueling to say the least. I was up this past Sunday night until 2:00am studying for statistics. I also got my business proposal and PowerPoint for it completed this weekend as well and turned it in on time for my other class.

While studying Sunday my daughter peeked over my shoulder and said, "So, you studying for statistics?". I said, "Yes, my final exam is tomorrow night." She said, "I hope that you make a 93". I said, "What do you mean? Why?" She said, "You always make 100's and for once I wish you would make a 93. You're like Einstein or something." I said, "Honey, if I was Einstein, I wouldn't still be in school trying to get my degree at 36 years of age!"

Monday night I took the final exam. It was a killer. Over four hours of gut-wrenching, mind-blowing problems to answer. All I can say is WOW. I took my test to the professor while walking out the door and he said, "Is that another 100?" I said, "Not this time, I don't think."

I was worried to death. I felt that I blew it.

Yesterday I called my professor because I couldn't wait to find out. He answered the phone and the following is the conversation:

Me: Hi!
Prof: Hello!
Me: I hate to bother you, but I am curious if you have had the opportunity to grade the exam.
Prof: Yes, just finished.
Me: And?
Prof: I was very mad with you! I can't believe you only made a 96!
Me: *sigh of relief* Well, do you know what the final grade is for the class?
Prof: Yes.
Me: And?
Prof: What is your expectation?
Me: What?
Prof: What do you think that your final grade in my class is?
Me: *silence*
Prof: An "F"?
Me: No...
Prof: "C"?
Me: No...
Prof: You made a "B-".
Me: OMG! Are you sure?? (He knows my quest for keeping the 4.0 GPA.)
Prof: *cackling*, No, I'm not sure...you made an "A"! You are very smart and you shouldn't believe that you aren't. You have the highest grade in the class. The others didn't do so well.
Me: I wouldn't have done that well if it wasn't for you. (and that is the TRUTH...he helped me a lot last week)

All I can say is...Thank God! I am so very grateful.

Whew...

Last night I shared my grade with my daughter. Before I even began she said that she KNEW that I had made a 100. I said, "No, you jinxed me! I made a 96". She proceeded to dance around the house yelling, "YAY! She made a 96!! She didn't make a 100!". I said, "Hey..that isn't very nice! Don't you want me to do well?" She said, "Of course I do, but I'm sick of the 100's."

I then realized it's good that I didn't make a 100. My grades set a bar for her own and I think it feels out of reach to her at times. I don't want her to feel that way at all and so I'm glad I didn't make the perfect score...because...I'm not perfect by any means and it's good for her to realize that. Maybe I should fail my next test? She would faint for sure!