Sometimes all it takes is one bad project to realize how much you are slacking off.

Sometimes all it takes is one good project to understand how much talent you are wasting by slacking off.

Sometimes all it takes is a few bad grades to discourage you from even trying.

Sometimes all it takes is an impending test to realize it’s time to buckle down and try your hardest.

Sometimes all it takes is one day to realize what’s important, and what’s not.

Today, it’s important for me to do what needs to be done. I have an art history test tomorrow, and I’m terrified. I’m going in with an 83%, and I feel like there is no possible way I will have that high of a grade when I walk out of the testing room. The highest I’ve gotten on one of her tests was a 75%, and I’m pretty sure the lowest was around a 60%. And I study very hard.

Even though I feel like it’s impossible for me to do well, I need to try my best. And I will. And now I’m going to study, then study with a friend, then go to a meeting, then study, then write a paper, then go to bed. And in the morning…study, go to class, study, go to class, study for a few minutes right before the test, and then get it over with.

And then I’m going to go to the gym and run for miles. Because what’s done is done and at least I’ll know that I gave it my all and didn’t let the past bad grades define how hard I tried for this one.