This post is in response to the Sunday Photo Fiction Challenge.

I just received a “C” as my final grade in advanced Chemistry. A frigging “C”. My parents are going to  go ballistic.

My father told me I should have gone to State. But no, I had to show  how brilliant I was by choosing Harvard. Harrrrvard, as the locals pronounce it. After all I was the Valedictorian of my high school class. I perfect 4.0 out of 4.0. I applied at seven different universities and was accepted at all seven. My father’s advice was to attend our state university. He thought I would have an easier time adjusting to the rigorous environment of a pre-med school at a small university rather than at an Ivy League School. His advice was to be a big fish at a small university than be a small fish in a large one. I wanted to be able to say I graduated from an Ivy League School so I choose Harvard.

I am smart but now I find myself with many other smart people. Everybody here was a valedictorian of their it seems. I find myself unable to compete at this level. Looking at the tombstone of this university’s founders I can’t help but think that this university will be the death of me.