This one goes to eleven.

I will admit it. I am a grade grubber. Big time.

BUT

Sometimes, I am a grade grubber in reverse.

Last week, I had a test in my history class and in my archaeology class in the same day. When we got our grades back, I had done better than I expected in my history class. The majority of the test points come from the essay question. The teacher passed back the tests to go over them and then was telling us what he expected on the essay questions. I had gotten full credit on the essay. The problem was, I didn't see any of the stuff he said he wanted.

We got out of class and I went right to my archaeology class, but I was too fidgety to stay. It was bothering me that I got a better grade than I should have. So, I went to my history professor's office so he could re-read my essay answer.

He showed me how he scores them and told me that the problem with me is that I am "an 'A' student." The problem is, though, I'm not. Yes, I am a student. And yes, I get 'A's, but I think and 'A' student is a student who thinks they deserve 'A's based solely on the fact that they are them. I don't think that way. I work hard in school and am rewarded with 'A's because I want to earn 'A's.

Ultimately, he didn't change my grade and he told me to never ask him to lower my grade again, but at least I know why I got the grade I got.

I am a bad student because I am too hard on myself and want the grade I think I deserve, which is never as good as the grades I earn.

School's out for... Uh, one day.

So, I have the same teacher for two of my three morning classes. I love both classes and I love the class in the middle of their sandwich. Last week, the teacher of those two classes announced he was canceling class on Monday because of a personal commitment. While this gave me the opportunity to sleep for an extra hour and a half before my second class, it was also going to leave me with a three hour break in the middle of my day instead of my usual hour and a half.

I am skipping school tomorrow. Like I said, I love my second class, but I can't justify waiting for three hours to go to two classes that I DON'T like. Especially when I could stay home in my nice, warm, soft bed.

Plus, I kind of deserve it. My weekend was insanely hectic and filled with me running around putting out fires that should have been easily avoidable and doing family "stuff". I need a break. Even if it is just for one day.

Also, Monday is my niece's birthday. I know I sound biased because she is my niece, but she really is incredible. She is awesome at everything she does, insanely beautiful, smart, sweet, and funny. I am very proud to know her and am glad I get to watch her turning into and amazing, strong woman.

So, I am a bad student because my teacher canceled class, but it's ok because I have an awesome family.

Homework's for Squares... Or: Why I am better than everyone else.

Only nerds spend time on their homework. I eventually wrote that paper I was putting off... It took roughly 35 minutes and I got a 100% on it, the class average was 57.2%. Go me.

Today, I skipped all of my morning classes. I have been sick for the past few days, I am pretty sure I have rubella. I mean, I know I had my MMR shot and the booster a long time ago, but I could be a medical anomaly.

The point is, I missed my morning classes. I woke up when my alarm went off and I was exhausted and it was chilly and when I looked outside, it was dark and rainy. So, I went back to sleep and decided I would go to whichever classes I still could when I woke up. When I woke up, the last of my 3 morning classes had already started, so I stayed in bed and watched Netflix until I had to go to my Computer class (for a test) and German ('cause I missed it 1 1/2 times last week... I only have class twice a week).

I got to school early, printed my homework that was due in computers and then sat outside the room doing my German homework. The test took about 20 minutes and then I was free for an hour until German.

During my break, I found a kid who is in my History class and copied his notes and texted a couple of people for the notes from my other two classes.

College makes it too easy to miss, which makes me a bad student.

I sure am glad it's raining...

I'm not really.

I am, however, at home. In my bed. Wearing a Snuggie. Under my down comforter.

I should be in my German class, BUT...

My school is always freezing. It doesn't matter what floor you are on or which building you are in, it is always cold.

Winter came very quickly the semester that I first started school, so I thought it was cold because it is hard (expensive) to heat large buildings. However, I took classes during the summer and it was still freezing. Even when it was 100 degrees outside, I wore jeans and a hoodie in class and was still cold. Sometimes I wore a sweatshirt and a jacket. And I would assume it is just as difficult to air condition a large building as it is to heat it, right?

So, the school is always cold, but today it was especially so. After my first three classes, I had a break, so I went to another building to print my homework for my Computer class. That building was freezing. I went to another building to have some lunch and THAT building was freezing. After shivering through my computer class in a fourth building, I decided enough was enough. I handed my German homework to a boy I have a few classes with and headed home.

I am sure the fact that it has been pouring all day and I was walking between buildings and therefore pretty drenched didn't help the warmth situation, but still.

So, my school's too cold. Which makes me a worse student.

It's 9:15 and all is not well.

The biggest problem I have encountered as a college student has been in my own home.

No, my parents aren't unsupportive, I don't have kids to take care of.
I have internet access and all of the required textbooks.

The biggest problem is Facebook.

Tomorrow, I start my classes at 9:30 a.m. At 11 a.m., my first paper is due. I chose the subject matter and I can change it if I want to. I have taken classes taught by this professor before, so I know what he expects. I actually like writing and consider myself a pretty decent academic writer.

BUT...

Facebook calls to me. It NEEDS me. If I don't read it all, who will? There are pictures to tag, statuses to "like", notes to comment on, and fights with strangers just waiting to be started. I come to my room, fully intending to work on my paper, but maybe I should see if my sister from out of state posted any new pictures of her girls... Then, I see a link to an article I might want to read, so I open that tab. Before I know it, I am deeply entrenched in the Book of Faces, with little hope of escaping. People I haven't talked to since second grade need consoling and I suddenly find myself swept up in the drama of their latest break-up/fight with their baby momma/lawsuit against McDonald's for making them fat.

And here I sit, four hours later, unable to force myself to write my 500 words. Thinking up excuses why I am waiting until the final buzzer.

You see, it's not MY fault. The Professor wanted to see our proposed subject matter before we started writing. Last Monday, we turned those in. On Wednesday, he gave us the go-ahead to write our papers and have them ready by tomorrow.

But then Thursday, I had my Gay-Straight Alliance meeting. And OBVIOUSLY I couldn't miss that, elections started and I am up for club secretary. Then we chatted afterward, but we HAD to, we need to build some camaraderie. By the time I dropped off a fellow member and got home, it was almost time to make dinner. After dinner, I was just too tired to think about homework.

Of course, Friday was out, too. I cleaned the house and did my Computer class homework and then I had to get gussied up to meet The Boy's workmates for dinner and drinks. I didn't get home until 2 a.m.

Saturday, I dragged myself out of bed and to the museum, where I spent 6 hours working behind the desk, taking admission and selling merchandise, and another hour giving a tour to my sister and my mom and my nieces. When I got home, The Boy came over. Then my brother and his pregnant wife and son rolled in from their home 3 hours away and we had a bonfire. I went to bed at 11.

At 9 this morning, I retrieved my wide-awake nephew from his trying-to-sleep parents. I made him chocolate milk (which he just played with) and toast and eggs (which he just looked at) and then got him in a video chat with my sister and her three girls 12 hours away. When The Kid's grandma rolled in, I started to make the stuffing for the turkey we were taking to my sister's at noon. Then I had to cut up cheese and sausage. And who else was going to make the gravy? I spent the afternoon at my sister's house and was home by 4:30.

So, see? Obviously I have had no time to write 500 words. Uh, don't count this.