Breaking the Rules: A Mentor's Secretive Act of Kindness
I am writing this article anonymously for obvious reasons. My story revolves around a challenging moment in my college days, where a professor, who I consider one of my best mentors, unexpectedly provided me with a secret study guide that ultimately turned the tide of my exam anxiety and performance.
My Background and the Anticipation of the Exam
I was a diligent student majoring in a field that was both personally and professionally important to me. The upcoming final exam was crucial not just for my grade, but also for securing a much-needed certification. This certification was pivotal to my career aspirations, and the stakes were incredibly high. However, my childhood experiences have left me with a chronic test anxiety that often clouds my performance.
Facing Test Anxiety
The anxiety was overwhelming, and I expressed my fears multiple times to my professor. He was keenly aware of my personal history and had been a constant source of support. He knew that a supportive environment and some specialized guidance could help me manage my anxiety and perform better.
The Secretive Study Guide
On the day of the exam, the stress was at its peak. I was scheduled to work as a work-study assistant for the head of my department, making my presence in the study hall almost a certainty. During a brief moment when my professor was away, he handed me an envelope. He said it was a comprehensive study guide he had developed specifically for this exam. Keen to help me, he instructively added that it contained questions, not answers, and the window was closing.
A Hidden Surprise
As I glanced up, the professor and another staffer were walking away. I quickly realized the significance and placed the envelope in my bag. When I opened it, my heart skipped a beat; inside was not a typical study guide, but a copy of the exact exam questions—and no answers, just the questions. The sheer audacity of this act was beyond what I expected from a mentor.
The Morality of Cheating
At the moment, I was torn. Was it right to use this information? Ethically, it certainly felt wrong. But logically, I had the questions and practically no time to learn the answers. The anxiety was paralyzing, and I needed a lifeline. I took the risk and began to answer as much as I could, leveraging my knowledge of the subject. I did very well on the exam and passed with flying colors.
No Discussion of the Incident
After the exam, the professor and I did not discuss the study guide. The encounter left us both in a delicate situation. The professor maintained his distance, and I carried the burden of his silent trust and the knowledge of a secret I couldn't reveal. The incident was a mix of gratitude, a testament to the mentor-student relationship, and an unspoken agreement to keep a secret.
The Impact on My Future
The secrets and strategies I developed from this experience were significant. It taught me about the moral ambiguity of certain actions, the power of guidance, and how personal struggles can be alleviated through unexpected means. Reflecting on this, I realized how lucky I was to have a mentor who went beyond the obvious to help me succeed.
Lessons Learned
This experience taught me a few valuable lessons. First, mentors can sometimes perform acts that are slightly against the rules in their wisdom and care. Second, test anxiety is a real condition that can be managed with the right guidance. Lastly, sometimes breaking the expected can lead to unexpected positive outcomes.
Conclusion
It may seem like a small act of kindness, but the secret study guide was a pivotal moment that shaped my college years and my future. My story is a reminder to seek support when faced with personal challenges and to remember that sometimes the best intentions can come from places you least expect. If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, consider the value of unconventional support and the possibility of a mentor's hidden strategies.