When the environment changes, mentality need to change as well


I just got a very bad quiz grade from my class. At first it was devastating, then I went into denial. I thought I did very well walking away from class that day. "How can my grade be this bad? It must be some mistake." I then fantasize about different kind of scenario where I actually got good grades. But when I went to professor's office to look at the quiz, I knew it was my grade, my really bad grade. The professor let me look at his solutions and answered all my questions. It turned out that I made a very stupid mistake, memorizing the equation wrong. That took most of my points off because he did not give any partial credits. I understand. Even though it was just a matter of different power of the variable, it showed that I didn't understand the concept. I didn't know the correct unit, hence did not understand what the Elastic Module is. It is a energy density. Energy over volume. Stupid mistake but now I don't think I will forget it. However, I think I still need to look more into it. I still don't know what exactly a elastic module is. Anyways, not the point here. As for the other question I did wrong, I did it wrong completely. But after the professor explained it to me. I think that question is awesome. It showed me a new way to look at the same old concept he talked about in class. I understand the concept more now because of this question, because I did this question wrong completely. If I guessed it right, or got some of my points taken off, I wouldn't come to the office and ask about this question and I wouldn't have this understanding. So it works out. 
I was really bummed to have this low grade. I was nervous at first too. I almost, had a glimpse of thought, argued with the professor to get more points. But I did not. I am in graduate school now. Having a high GPA is not my goal, not my priority anymore. The reason I am taking this class is because I want to learn about this subject. So as long as I understand the materials, the grades should not matter much. That is the different mentality I have right now. I am glad it's changed.

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