When you must work to earn something you desire, that “something” becomes everything. The value of this reward seems much greater when it must be earned as opposed to given away at no cost. This past summer, while working under Peter, a UMBC graduate student, I experienced the most beneficial moment of my educational career. When I had a question, Peter instructed me to answer it for myself. Peter refused to just “give” me an answer. Instead, he challenged me to “earn my knowledge” and from that point on, I worked to find answers to my questions.
"Can you please explain to me how you determined that number?" Little did I know that this simple question would instigate my worst educational experience ever. The question was answered with "Young lady you are very rude! Go to the office!" To this day, I have never quite understood what exactly I said to instigate this outburst. Regardless of her intentions, I was punished for asking a simple question. My self-esteem was shattered, and I have never quite been able to gain the confidence to ask questions.
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