I have a gift, and it is this:
I have the amazing supernatural ability to be good at things I don't understand. I'm talking intellectual things that involve the cranium. Excluded from this ability is AP Physics in High School. I didn't understand a word, and I got a C...which actually I suppose is still fairly decent for wanting to run around and scream during first period everyday Senior year. I'm also not necessarily good at physical things that I don't understand: flying airplanes, rugby, teleportation.
In college I managed to graduate in the top 10% of my class, with a major that I drooled through with incompetence. I am able to produce amazing assignments without ever letting the information click.
I remember the day I realized my superpower. It was halfway through junior year in COB300, where the majority of the semester was devoted to creating a business plan. Once again, reminiscent of AP Physics, I wanted to run around and scream everyday. I was sitting in Finance when myself and one other student got called up in front of a lecture hall of students to be honored in receiving acceptance into Beta Gamma Sigma internationally recognized business honors society. I had never even heard of this organization before, but apparently everyone else in the room had, and was extremely congratulatory with hints of envy.
I remember returning to my seat and saying to my proud group members that maybe they should have given the award to someone who knew what was going on.
Now, I don't mean to bash International Business. Really, I had a lot of fun, and despite not retaining 85% of the information, I did learn a lot and wouldn't trade in the experience for anything. Consistent with my character, however, the information I retained has to do with the International part, not necessarily the Business portion. And besides, sometimes you learn the most about yourself by discovering what it is you don't want to learn.
Today, I find myself taking online English literature classes, quite the opposite from International Business studies. Finally I have found something that I am both good at and I understand. That isn't to say that learning isn't difficult and that I haven't been challenged, but for once, I can actually look back at everything I have written over the past semester and a half and say wow! that's good! I get it! Things make sense and I am finally grasping information that will make a lasting impression on my life. I care about what I am learning, and I sit on the edge of my seat as I wait for grades to be posted. The satisfaction in understanding something, trying your hardest and surpassing your superpower, and then receiving professor approval for your work is something I never thought I would experience!
Here's to education and finding my niche!
