Thursday, November 04, 2010

The Do-Over

This is going to sound awful, but I am not used to failing. I have lived a charmed life during which I can recall very few instances when I did not get what I wanted. I'm not talking about Christmas and birthday gifts (still waiting on that trip to Space Camp, Numi). Rather, I mean auditions/interviews/try-outs/contests. I have been very lucky.

Knowing that, you can imagine how surprised I was to have bombed my PhD comprehensive exams a couple of months ago. I haven't talked to many people about it, but let's just say it was completely out of the blue and a major blow. I still can't bring myself to wear the clothes I wore that day again because I suspect they are jinxed.

I just received confirmation that I will be retaking these exams the week of Thanksgiving and defending my answers on December 14th. I think I know what I did wrong the first time.... and I think I can be ready.... and I think I can get through relatively unscathed. But the fear factor is amazingly high on this one.

It's got me wondering about what else I might take a "do-over" on if I had the chance. For me, it's my wedding. Not the marriage, but there are lots of things I would change about the actual event if I could go back in time.

2 comments:

The Numismatist said...

You can do it! A little fear can be a good thing.

Muriel said...

I'm so sorry you didn't do well. You will do great this next time. Good luck! Yooooou can dooooo it! (As said by Rob Schneider in every Adam Sandler movie.)