Never Stop Learning

This was it; final exam time.  My nerves were on edge.

“The test will begin the minute you access the exam link.  Remember it is a timed-test. You must complete the entire exam.  You may reference your textbook and notes. Don’t forget to submit the required course work exercises along with your written exam.  Good Luck!”

I could almost see the instructor staring at me; hear the heels of her shoes as she walked around the room.  Except this was a virtual course, taken online.  My first time at such an experience.

For those who have done this before, maybe it comes easier with experience. I found it difficult to pay attention to online lectures, with my mind drifting to a million other things.

Like, “Why is she wearing that dress; it’s sort of formal?” and “What kind of plant is that in the background?”

Now it was the “Final Frontier”; the exam. I began sweating profusely.  My throat was dry; my hand shook as I clicked “Begin” on my computer.

Not sure why this test was giving me the heebie-jeebies.

Let’s see: could it be that it’s been years since I’ve taken a test? That this is the FIRST and ONLY test for the course?  That my 3-ring binder with the course materials measured 4” thick?

Did I mention that there were close to 100 questions, all of them essay or short answer?

Augh!  The pressure!

Panic set in as a read the first question and tried to answer it without referring to the text.

Like a stubborn toddler I kept thinking, “I can do this myself”.

It only took a few minutes for me to see the beauty of referencing the text and I was off and running. Suddenly I relaxed and it was like I was back in college doing what I have always succeeded at: taking classes and passing exams. Learning.

Yes, I enjoy taking classes and learning new things.  Once I get the hang of it, I don’t even mind the testing.  Well, I’d rather not but it comes with the territory.

I’m not gonna lie; the exam was intense.  It took several full days to complete, and another to review my answers.

I returned my exam and the required course work before the deadline, confident in my answers.

Like I said, it had been years since I had taken an exam, much less taken a course.  This was long-overdue. My guess is that it’s been a long time since many of you have taken a course to learn something new.

How many of us stop learning when we leave school? How many excuses do we have?

• “I’m too busy with work”
• “It costs money to take classes”
• “I’ve already learned what I need to know”
• “If the company wants me to learn something, they can provide training”
• “I’M TOO OLD”

We should never stop learning.  Why limit ourselves?  Learning is good for our brains; it’s stimulating; it can add credentials to our resume. If we attend classes at a local college we might even meet new people to add to our network.

In my case, I wanted to get formal training in a new discipline and earn the necessary credentials.

Did I pass the exam?  Keep your fingers crossed.  We’ll soon find out, won’t we?