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Alondra Diaz
Ms. E.Parrish
English 1010
May 23, 2014
Narrative: Brick walls
It was around May of my junior year when I took the AP psychology exam. Few weeks
earlier, we were taking practice tests in AP psychology to determine if we would chance to pass
the exam. Mrs. Gaskins was reviewing our past scores with each of us individually. I felt assured
that I wasn’t going to get bad feedback like others did, and then it was my turn to go have my
exams reviewed. Mrs. Gaskins was skimming through her list then she looked at me and said
bluntly that the odds weren’t in my favor. I was offended and felt diminished by her comment
but it didn’t take long for me to think that she didn’t know what she’s talking about. I was
enraged with determination that day, swearing that I would do everything to pass my exam. I had
to pass, not only to prove her wrong but I needed the credit for my associate degree. There was
no way back, I had to pass this exam and spend every free minute I had to study. I was
determined to pass yet I have never studied for any exams in my life.
Throughout that day I was researching methods to see what would be efficient strategy
and to my preference. I saw that other people reviewed their notes, yet in psychology she already
gave us written notes. It instigated an idea in my mind, not only would I write my own notes but
I would color them according to a sequence and tape them on my wall. My mother was confused
on my method of studying; she looked at me like if I was institutionalized person obsessed with a
delusion. My mother had every right to believe that because I was obsessed. Every day I studied
for hours and at work my breaks were used for studying. I needed to know every little speck of
information, because I wanted to feel like a conqueror against the odds. I never thought about
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failing or even passing, the objective changed as each day passed. I just needed to be an expert in
psychology. There was this feeling of victory and genial confidence that was bestowed on me the
morning of the test. Although, I didn’t take the test yet, but as soon as I got to school my heart
was racing and my pulse pumping. As I got closer to the room I started to feel my heart slow
down, at that moment I felt prepared to take the test. I took the test with no worry and hesitation
in my answers. The exam ends and everyone goes their own way, I felt like this great strain had
been lifted upon me. I had enough strength to lifts this pillar that I knew would help me build
something out of. I got home and just landed on my bed for the rest of that day. As time passed, I
had forgotten about the exam until a peer reminded me of the day they would post the final
scores. The day came and I logged in and the connection slowly pulled up, my eyes skimmed the
page for a number and then I saw a solid 3. I dropped my phone in ecstatic relief and was on my
knees praising the skies that I passed. I felt relieved and joyful that all the hard work I put toward
passing was really effective. I couldn’t stop thinking about my teacher that day, I was curious to
know and see her reaction. Although I never found out, I felt an all new confidence and decided
to take on more college courses. It wasn’t mere luck that I got what I desired, but hard work,
commitment and overall passion. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are
there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something quoted by Randy Pausch. It
takes hard work and dedication to earn what you truly desire and don’t get discouraged easily; if
you do you don’t deserve it and you’ll never know what you’re capable of.