Grades

With five minutes remaining, my pencil is zooming across the page in my last-ditch effort to convey a flawless understanding of “microeconomics II”.  The clock ticks past the final minute and I let out a sigh filled first with remorse for not studying more, then contentment for completing my second course in London, and finally, anticipation for Edinburgh tomorrow.  In just one sigh my spirits soar from regretful to giddy excitement that in just 24 hours, I will be sitting in a dimly-lit, musky pub sipping on a fine glass of scotch whisky in the company of my friends and kilt-clad scotsmen.  The exam is already forgotten as I walk to the tube with “Sublime” in my ears, the classic soundtrack for a carefree summer.  Time to pack.

As the semester winds down, I have begun reflecting on my time here.  Given that I’m still in the middle of exams, reflecting through an academic lens on my time in London seemed pertinent.  While it may sound like I am taking a very apathetic and passive approach to academics, a great deal of thought went in to considering how much to bury my head in textbooks.  Ironically enough, I used the principles of economics to decide whether to study my economics (or any of my other subjects). It was just basic cost-benefit analysis.

Decision

I only get 5 months in London at a time in my life when my responsibilities will never be lower.  This makes it truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  When deciding how to spend my time, I looked at the two sides, weighing the costs and benefits.

On the one hand I could get excellent grades for the semester through rigorous studying, practicing, and revising.  And on the other, I could have a semester filled with memories of far-away places, breathtaking views, and priceless experiences.  So go ahead and memorize how to apply the Stefan-Boltzmann law or how to model a supply function.  I’ve made my decision: I’ll accept B’s or C’s — hell even D’s.  I’m going to go climb a mountain.

(This one)