Dearest child of mine,
I confess that I was a little taken aback by your anxiety about the upcoming release of scores on the AP tests. They were months ago, and not at the forefront of my mind, but of course you want to know how it went. I also understand that the first time you do anything, including an AP test, means more adrenaline and anticipation. Before you find out if you scored a 1 or a 5 or somewhere in between, I have a few thoughts I want to share.
A number fails to capture your awesomeness.
I know I say this over and over, and I will continue to repeat this because, despite the messages you get from others, it is true.
There are so many variables that go into test performance on your end, and also on the part of the graders. This is not a final determination of either your knowledge or ability.
You can be smart and bomb a test, or even lots of tests. There are a host of world-changers who have done exactly that.
If you do well, that doesn’t mean that you don’t have to continue to work hard. You cannot rest on your laurels, or an AP score, I’m afraid.
While I love numbers and data, they are far from the be-all, end-all. If anything, these scores are but one tiny point in a very large data set. I know that you worked hard and studied long hours, and the knowledge you gained is priceless.
You didn’t take the class for a number. You took an AP class because you were up for a challenge. Watching you rise to meet it made us ridiculously proud.
It is my fervent hope as your mom that you know what truly matters.
Your ability to make other people feel important, the kindness you show people, the ways you help others, the warmth you share in your smile, the curiosity you have about the world around you, the humor you display at the moments when it is needed most – these are the things that not only make you who you are, they are the things that give me a lump in my throat when I think about them because I am so crazy proud of you. And no AP score, or any test result, will ever change that.
Don’t even get me started on the fact that you’re not even allowed to drive or vote, making the thought that you should be acing a college level class in the midst of your sophomore year of high school is rather silly.
Being a teen can be tough, and tests are one reason why, but please try not to stress.
Be confident in the knowledge that you did what you could, you learned a lot, and you tried your best. That makes me crazy proud, and I hope it makes you proud of yourself, too.
Love,
Mom
