EDIT: I'm regretting this already. It was one of my written-in-the-moment-of-the-emotion things, and it doesn't reflect how I feel right now. I shouldn't write when I'm too happy or sad XD. Anyway, please know that I normally do not talk like this, and this is going to sound pretty childish . Stay cool, guys! NintendoFanKimmy, out!~

Ugh ...

I know that I can be a bit of a worrier sometimes, but I really can't help but ponder over this seriously ...

I was put at ease when my Arabic teacher shook her head in response to "Did I fail?", but I'm beginning to wonder whether that head shake meant "You didn't fail" or "I can't tell you right now"... UGH! I reaaally hope I get my grade back soon !

I know I sound like I'm thinking about this waaay too much, and I probably sound ridiculous right now, but when I think about it, there's no way I could have gotten a "high" grade on it. Not with how fast I was rushing. I believe 65 was the highest I could have gotten.

I told my parents about my possible misinterpretation of the head shake, and they just laughed and said I was thinking about this way too much. They were probably right, but what came next is what led me to create a whole thread about this.

"Yasmine, I know you worry a lot; just think logically! You're good at everything, so of course you did well!"

My mom... She said that so, like... Her tone was so calm and happy that it made my heart sink. That sounded cruel, but... Ugh. The fact that she was so sure about this and was literally laughing with ease make me more terrified now than ever of getting a failing grade.

They predicted I would get an 85 at the very least because I'm "top-notch", but I highly doubt this is going to be the case.

Why don't they get that I'm sure I did horribly no matter how many times I've told them already?

I guess it's hard for me to sound serious...

I'll stop here, since this specific exam has quite enough fame on this site already, but high expectations freak me out so much .

The fact that I'm usually amazing should earn me actual praise instead of "Oh, good, as usual, " but more importantly, why do I try so hard to be good at things when all it's going to get me is the title "nerd" and a LOT of pressure from my parents?

Just because I usually get good grades, it doesn't mean a big, huge deal has to be made when I fail... When someone gets a better grade than I do, they scream "GUYYYS!!! I got a higher grade than YASMINE!!!" It doesn't bother me /that/ much, but it just reminds me of the fact tat I'm constantly being compared to others.

Forget the "why do I try so hard" thing. It was stupid. I can't even believe I said it . I'm going to be successful and smart in the future no matter what title I get!

But, still, that doesn't mean I'm not scared. It doesn't remove the pressure. I know they're proud of me, and they think I'll do well because they think of me really highly, but in this specific case, I wish it weren't so. I honestly wish it weren't. 

They love me, and I love them, but I wish being smart stopped giving people higher-than-the-clouds expectations of me for a change.

It sometimes feels like the pressure outweighs the pride. I swear it does.

Don't worry, guys, I will never, EVER stop trying hard. I just felt like sharing the fact that being a good student isn't always as rewarding as it sounds. I know my parents care for me.

Things just literally feel heavy sometimes .

Again, when I started writing this I was tearing a little in my typical cowardice, but I'm fine now, and PLEASE don't worry. Just felt like sharing something with you guys .~

Also, I'm not a coward. For some reason, this only happens when it comes to my parents... who are actually really lenient . I don't know why.

Anyway, I'll always work hard for my parents and you guys, whose support is MUCH appreciated always , and I'll try not to let anyone down! It's just difficult for some people to realize that even I am not perfect ^^". I'm still a little scared about the outcome of all this, though. I hate disappointing people .

I love my parents. Please don't tell me to stop my "typical teenage ranting". I love them to the ends of the earth, and we sort of have the right, I believe, to complain once in a while about things WITHOUT getting sighs and rolled eyes in response, just like everyone else ... Lol.

Just know that I like to please, but it's not always difficult to do so, and regardless of everything I said in this thread, you're awesome and I love you guys !!! Thanks for reading!

(I know I'm going to look at this and wonder why I ever wrote it tomorrow.)

NintendoFanKimmy, out!~

haha... here I'm going to get YOU to roll your eyes: Stop stressing, Yasmine!

I know that's a lot harder than it sounds... trust me.

I used to be a lot like you in school.... well... without the creativity, good charm, art skills, wittiness, friends.... er.... 
Alright, let me rephrase:  I know what you're going through when it comes to grades and peers and parents and expectations.

My classmates always had the same reaction when they got grades higher than me.  And I DID feel pressured to meet good grades.  Yet my parents were never super proud of them simply because they came with such ease.

If my twin made an A, the whole house would have died in absolute joy and shock... but if I made an A?  "Hey, great job... again"..... and they'd continue to eat or watch TV, or whatever else they had been doing.

But if I made a bad grade?  Wait.. did I....?

Yes... yes I did!
I made bad grades a few times.  They weren't received well.

Actually, my hard work DID pay off. I got a 32 on my ACT and a full time scholarship, which is pretty nifty. It allowed me to get through school without paying a cent, and in only two years... because I didn't have trouble affording things.

There aren't many people in our country that get through college at the age of 20.

I DO remember working crazy hard and getting stressed, but you know what I also recall?
It was unnecessary.  Do you think anyone (myself, my parents, my coworkers included)... care what grades I made?

Honestly, they'd probably give me crazy looks if the topic was brought up.

It SEEMS important, and right now... to you.. it is.

But chin up! High school is very, very minute part of your life compared to your adult years.  It's probably near impossible for you to imagine it, but some day you'll ever wonder why you allowed your heart to skip an extra beat over it all.

oh.. oh wait! I have something else to say!   I know you already read my post, or I promise I wouldn't double post.  

okay... on the topic of high expectations....  I knooooow they can be stressful and at times annoying. But I have to say as a teacher.... they are probably the BEST tool a teacher has to ensure success.

Why is this?  
Let me give you a metaphor.

Let's say I have you and a few other kids line up.
If I then instructed you all to jump 'this' high (and held my hand about  6 inches off the ground).... what do you think would happen?

Most students would jump..... around 6 inches high.  You'd have one or two that MIGHT jump lower because they feel self-conscious and uncertain about themselves. You MIGHT have two or three that jump slightly higher just because they're goofy and like to show off... or maybe they're go-getters.

But wait!

Let's change the situation a little, now shall we?

"Line up kids.  Jump 'this' high."  This time, I'm going to hold my hand off the ground by about a foot and a half.

What's going to happen?
The exact same thing.  What's the difference?

You're going to have kids jump.... a foot and a half high, not 6 inches.  You're going to have one or two that will jump lower than that.... (but a lot higher than the kids in the other situation!)..... and you're going to have those go-getters and show offs who exceed the goal.... of 1.5 feet.

The goal is reasonable, but the expectations are higher.  This means better results.

Expectation is everything.

In the first scenario, I'm telling my kids:  "Hey you guys, I think you can jump 6" high."  Where's my confidence in them?

Instead, I'd rather say... "Hey kids, it may sound crazy, but I BET you can jump a foot and a half high!"  How cool is that?  I'm showing my kids that I trust them, I believe in them, and that they CAN strive for something amazing!

Girl... you better embrace those high expectations!
you'll be somebody because of them!

Go get 'em!

NintendoFanKimmy : Yii 3alayna men your mom XD! Just because you're good in english class, it doesn't mean you're good in EVERYTHING! Everyone are strong, and have weaknesses as well. Don't worry, ya HOOLOOH, U did your best at least :3.

People expect so highly of you and show it all the time because they know you can meet their expectations and a lot of the time, it's a good motive for you to do your best. Sure, you get a lot of pressure and stress, but it's worth it in the end because everyone who likes you getting high grades will be so proud of you and you'll be so proud of yourself.