Post-Assessment Trauma

When I was in the last years of school, we used to have spot check for uniforms. Our hands would automatically start adjusting our skirts to make them look like they are no higher than 2.5 inches above the knee. The ties would be pulled up, all the way up, enough to almost choke us, since we would rather get choked than button up our shirts until the top. Me, being the disciplined one always managed to escape the scolding. We also had pop quizzes for chemistry which half the class would inevitably fail. In PE, we had random assessments for running a 2.4k or sit-ups or pull-ups. Physics lab was always a surprise since we never came to know beforehand whether we were actually going to work in the lab or just discuss tutorials.

After going to college I sort of forgot about all this. Everything had a deadline about which we were informed months before. There are no ‘Surprise term paper’ or ‘surprise lecture quiz’ or ‘surprise projects’. We know exactly how much time we have before handing in the next assignment. I forgot how a random assessment feels like. Only to be reminded again, today.

When I saw those survey forms which my “girls” filled up today, my heart kind of skipped a beat. When they were filling in details about whether I constantly ask them questions related to studies or if I inspire them to be better, or whether I can be a role model to them, I was thinking if one month is a long enough time to be coming to a conclusion like this. I wonder if it’s only me who thinks this way or would someone else have the same opinion as I do. I wonder what everyone would have said. Am I considered one of the friendly ones or am I the intimidating kind? Sigh. Surprise tests suck. I would rather run a 2.4 kilometers on a hot afternoon.