"As it is common for the younger sort to lack discretion..."

My life now has meaning again. My time at Furman thus far has been rather dreary as far as my academic progress is concerned; I have never been one to receive bad (or even average) grades. Suddenly, I have scores of them to my name, and I take them all as a personal offense, because I know I'm capable of better. When I complain about this, upperclassman simply smile blithely and say, "Welcome to Furman." I hate this response, though it seems that no matter how hard I try, I am doomed to failure. This has been my mindset; I have never been more stressed about maintaining a GPA and succeeding in class in my life. I have yet to reap the rewards of this labor, and was growing rather tired of trying. However today, I was handed the most exciting compliment I have ever received. It put the proverbial wind back into my sails, so to speak.

At Furman, we (the freshman) are forced to take classes known as "first year seminars" that focus heavily on writing and other disciplines, in order to level the playing field of incoming students. If an intensive writing class is offered, then a stellar performance can obviously be expected post completion of this course. I love to write, and the idea of a writing intensive course is something that I relish, and have decided to put my heart and soul into. This is why my first paper simply HAD to be a work of art in my mind. I put blood, sweat, and tears into that assignment (as well as much of my sanity for several consecutive days). My professor did not like me, or value my opinion in any way. He saw no problem in telling me that i was WRONG, and that my opinion is invalid. "STOP IMPOSING YOUR SUBURBANIZED, CHRISTIAN GIRL PHILOSOPHIES ON THE REST OF THIS CLASS..." he says to me. Then, today, a breakthrough. Frustratingly, he refused to give me a grade on my first paper until i met with him. Walking into his office, I expected rage. I was braced for him to rip my paper to shreds, as he had all my other work. Instead, Professor Radel says to me, "Rachel Glasser. I submitted your paper to different plagerism sites on the internet, convinced that a college freshman could not produce this level of work. Where did you learn to write like this?" I respond in shock, "Professor, I love to read..." He says to me. "I could not even tell you what you're paper was about, I was so blown away by the style and level of polish that your writing possesses. In all my time at Furman, I have never encountered this level of skill in a freshman. You are one of the best writers I have seen in quite some time. Well done. Do you have any plans concerning writing as a career?" By this time, a smile has lit my face, and I respond with full confidence, "Why yes. Yes I do." WHAT?!

Conclusion: The one thing I profess to be able to do, at least I can do it well.