I woke up like this. Flawed. I’m directionally challenged, but hey, that’s Kea.
On the morning of April 29, I felt prepared to deliver my 15-minute solo presentation. While in the Learning Commons, I printed two outlines for my professor and fellow marker; after logging into MyManchester to see where my assigned location was, my heart dropped a little because the building (which I had never heard of) was quite far. But, trying to remain positive, I hopped on a bus, viewed the interactive map on my phone, and at an appropriate stop, hopped off (as I knew the bus route would not lead me directly to the building).
After a bit of walking, the blue arrow of guidance that was leading me to the presentation land went berserk! I walked under an overpass and the arrow oscillated which left me confused on which direction to walk. A lack of Wi-Fi and data left me asking a stranger for directions, but unfortunately, she was not helpful and couldn’t direct me. I pondered my options and for a second, I considered a cab, but none happened to pass me that Friday morning near 9am and I hadn’t stored any numbers. I was actually in disbelief at the vastness of the campus, stretched out along such a long distance that even in the midst of being lost, searching for one building on the other campus, I was not within range of eduroam.
Knowing that I was unable to make it on time, I decided to walk back. My professor had a schedule of back-to-back presentations until 4pm with the exception of a lunch break. Plus, I had a compulsory class to attend at 10am anyways. While walking back, as soon as my phone connected to eduroam, I emailed my professor apologizing for my unprofessional absence. When I finally arrived at MBS East, I checked my email to see if she had replied.
I am flawed. But hey, we all are, right? Unfamiliar with Outlook and seeking to send the email ASAP, rather than emailing my professor in a previous email chain, I had accidentally emailed myself! Really doeee? I corrected my mistake and emailed her…but immediately received the following message: “I am currently involved in student assessment, all day every day until, and including, Friday and will have only very limited access to email. I will respond to your email when I can but meanwhile, for urgent issues, please contact (#).”
I called at lunchtime and my professor didn’t answer so I left a voicemail. I began to think…I am about to fail a class while abroad. Two assignments determined my grade: the presentation and a 3000-word essay, both worth 50%. An average of 40% is passing and generally speaking, receiving a grade above 80-85% on an individual assignment is not common. If I received a zero worth 50%, I’d be pushing it when it came to my final average.
While in my dorm, the nerves hit me, and well…I hit the loo. I don’t usually take my phone into a restroom stall because back in 2009 my old phone fell in the toilet and I had to replace it. BUT I had to be ready to pick up if my professor called. And sure enough, in the stall, mid-nerves, she did. I answered with the quickness and apologized for my absence. Thank her, thank all that is good, despite my blatant unpreparedness SHE TOOK PITY ON ME! A blessing just fell in my lap. Along with the toilet tissue I dropped as I rejoiced.
Four days later, I delivered my presentation. And today, on June 6, I can finally post this because I know my grade for the course. After my delivery and essay submission, I can now happily say I received an average of a FIRST! You can pass with a 40% and earn a grade in the “first” range (desirable) with a 70% or higher.
My mother always said, “Those who fail to plan, plan to fail.” But here is one case where this flawed gawdess had a professor who opened up her heart to help me succeed. I have always known that I am directionally challenged, but I’m working on it. After all, if you don’t know where you’re going, how do you expect to get there?
Tea With Kea 