…pretend to have read the reading and prayed you wouldn’t be cold-called.
PRETEND TO HAVE READ THE READING AND PRAYED YOU WOULDN’T BE COLD-CALLED.
Follow along for more relatable tales from campus and beyond.
Remember those late nights in the library, fuelled by questionable coffee, staring at a syllabus that seemed to multiply readings faster than you could skim them? We've all been there. That feeling of dread creeping in before a seminar, knowing full well you only absorbed about 10% of the assigned text. Yet, you’d walk in, portfolio clutched, ready to project an aura of profound understanding.
The subtle art of selective nodding, the carefully crafted 'That's an interesting point,' or the strategic question that buys you time. And then, the moment of truth – the professor's eyes scanning the room, landing… almost on you. A sharp intake of breath, a silent prayer to any deity who would listen, and then, the sweet, sweet relief as they called on someone else.
It wasn’t about being lazy; it was about survival. It was about juggling five seminars, a research project, an extracurricular, and maybe, just maybe, attempting to have a social life. This unspoken ritual, this shared academic tightrope walk, is a quintessential part of our journey. It’s a testament to the high expectations, the sheer volume of knowledge thrown our way, and our resourceful, sometimes hilarious, ways of navigating it all. It’s part of the fabric of our formative years, a secret handshake among those who truly 'got' it. So, next time you see that knowing glance, know you're not alone.