Danger Zone!

1 Exam down, 2 to go. Property was today. It feels good to have that out of the way, considering how much I hated it. The way I feel stress is funny. I woke up half an hour before my alarm this morning and was completely unable to go back to sleep. My mind wasn't racing or anything, I just was wide awake and ready for the day.

I got ready, packed my bag, and walked out the door. THEN the nerves started. Butterflies in my stomach, and being terrified of not making it to school, even though school is two blocks away. So when I saw a crazy guy walking down the street threatening to beat people up, all I could think was, "This guy is going to take me hostage, and then I won't get to my exam, and the Dean won't let me retake the exam, and I'm so screwed." Luckily, I didn't get taken hostage and I made it to school in plenty of time to eat breakfast.

During the final, everything was remarkably clear. I wasn't shaking or nervous. In the moment, I can completely keep my cool, as long as I don't think about what's happening. I even brought my bookstand so that flipping through my outline would be easier. Yes, I got made fun of, but it helped me stay completely calm, which is more important.

But it was after I left the room that I actually got nervous. The rush of adrenaline hit me post-challenge as it always does and I had to sit down. I was shaking so hard that the coffee I was drinking sloshed out of its cup and all over me.

It's weird that I can't feel the fear until after the big moment has passed. I think I would fail evolutionarily. Flight-or-Fight syndrome kicks in after I've decided to fight, and in the prehistoric days, something really big would have eaten me long before the fear hit me.

Good thing I'm a law student and not a cavewoman.