Skipping class sometimes is something we all do, as is not finishing all of our work or reading. But it didn’t used to be like that!

In high school I was such a good student until I figured out that I didn’t actually have to do all of the work I was supposed to. That was both awesome and bad. And so when I came to Columbia fresh off doing just enough to get by my senior year and chilling all summer, my work ethic was less than great.

I waited until literally the last minute to turn in my physics homework (like serious sprinting to Pupin last minute). I did my Gen Chem lab reports at 10 in the morning when they were due at 1 in the afternoon. I rarely went to Gen Chem lecture because it was my first class of the day and the textbook told you everything you needed to know—if you actually read it…

But yesterday I missed a class (besides PE) for the first time this semester. And I still feel bad about it. Today in class I paid super attention and BARELY even checked my email. Freshman year I would have told myself I would just read the slides later, even though I knew that would never happen. Now that my classes are harder, I just really don’t want to dig my own grave by not going to class.

What is going on? Does this mean I’m growing up? Does it mean I’m just more afraid than ever of not having a job after graduation? In the words of a friend, did I “used to be cool?”

Katie is a junior in SEAS who, after going to all of her classes today, is listening to this and dancing like an idiot.