“Why you are not the ‘star student’ (and how to become one)“

I discovered I am a Ronald. Reading this in class today had me sink into a hole. I like to write my essays in solitary, without feedback, without reaching out for comments. I realised I do this because some part of my brain thinks that if the teacher hasn’t read my work before submission, and gets this slab of words fresh on their (hypothetical, digital) desk, then they’ll have no preconceived notions, no prejudices against what they’ve already read. And I have no idea whether this works (regardless, it’s probably not great for my practice – collaboration, feedback, adapting the work to new ideas, can all breed positive outcomes, as we have noticed). I’m by no means a ‘good’ public speaker (no thanks!). When I have work to due, every single loudly ticking second that I am not dedicating to the project eats away at my mind, rotting it with guilt (no better feeling than being halfway through a movie and being brought back to reality by your brain shouting “this is not the best use of your time dude!!!!!!!!”). I like networking, talking to other people about projects and things but I find it hard to do without exhausting a great deal of energy – it’s just not a thing I’m naturally good at. My hobbies are very much ‘solitary’, and ‘team based computer gaming’ with friends does seem to be how I conduct a fair portion of my time.

Mewburn doesn’t let this stop us though. She proposes several unpackings of superstar Anna’s behaviours, a makeshift step-by-step guide on how to improve your doing, your showing, your successes. University so far has improved my confidence tenfold, in speaking, conducting myself and in my abilities and with a continued chipping away at the wall that stands glaringly in front of me I’m sure I’ll turn this Ronald into an Anna. Or an An, for a start.