Revision was tough, with days on end when I didn’t leave my pyjamas, but holed up with a pile of textbooks and a tub of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. I felt guilty watching television, would not leave the house without some notes and became the most antisocial and annoying teenager I could ever wish on a parent. Often I wondered, if it was worth it; the stress, strops and sleepless nights. Then, I thought about Murray Edwards. Any psychologist will tell you that motivation is a vital driving force, and the Offer Holders’ Overnight stay in March gave me that incentive to work my socks off. In the 1960’s, Mischel carried out an experiment where children were told they could have one marshmallow there and then, or wait fifteen minutes and get two. The offer from Murray Edwards drove me to put in that extra mile to get the grades. At the end of the day I waited for that marshmallow that is my chance to study at Cambridge.
So, now having finished school, I am awaiting results. I can honestly say to myself that I couldn’t have worked any harder to get to Murray Edwards and although having an ‘Internal Locus of Control’, believing my actions determine all my outcomes, I do now think that fate will decide. I am very worried to get excited about September just in case the ‘what-if’ happens. However, there is so much to look forward to from rowing to garden parties, it is truly impossible to simply forget about it until August. So against all advice, I will go university shopping, I will get a bicycle, and I can’t wait! …continue reading…