"Choose your course carefully."

These words have been ringing in my mind all evening.


I gave a cheery "Hi!" and flashed my most radiant smile, hoping that that would somehow ease a little of the anxiety. At that moment, I thought I saw a faint smile. Or maybe not.

"Sign here and check."

I scanned through my particulars. All correct - sign.

She handed me a whole bag of university brochures and the school yearbook. The bag just wouldn't stand still on the table, so I took it down and struggled to put the yearbook in.

Then, from the corner of my eye, I saw the green slip of paper - slowly but surely - appearing before my very eyes.

Yes, the day of reckoning was finally here.

D D C... A! I looked to the left... 2!

My mind went blank. Admittedly, the grades weren't unexpected but, well, I had harboured hope that the rest of the cohort would screw up too, and that they would be moderated up. Like how brilliant right? Except for Gp, that is.

"Choose your course carefully."

"Uh ok."

With that, I left the table, still in a blur, allowing the results to fully sink in.