Ceskind: Have I Lost My Mind?

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Cedric learns many things as he is in the journey of experiencing new things in college. For example, during Cedric’s second semester at Brown, Cedric feels confident enough to register for five courses based on his performance during his first semester. According to the author, Mr. Suskind states, “‘five classes,’ he says to himself. ‘Have I lost my mind?’ It actually feels kind of good to say it. He remembers what Miriam, Dr. Kob’s aunt, told him about how ‘saying things can sometimes make them happen.’ Yes, this is a bold plan that won’t just draw him even with the other kids, with their measly four classes, but might take him a notch above. It’s an intrepid act-maybe his first since arriving here- that, somehow, seems to liberate him.” (p. 276). Based on this evidence, Cedric realizes that he cannot handle a five-course loads that includes two math courses. So Cedric problem solves and withdraws from his second math class. By dropping the course, Cedric shows that he no longer needs to prove to himself that he is capable of taking a heftier course load than his colleagues, and he no longer …show more content…

He keeps going till he finishes. Then next class he gets his results. “’I think you did a little better than you think you did,’ he says, facing a wall. ‘I figured I failed, so I guess that’d be a D,’ Cedric mumbles as he floats forward, unaware of his feet. Berman looks intently at his as he thrusts the test forward. Cedric spins it in his hand and looks at the cover page’s grid. His jaw goes slack. ‘OH MY GAWWWD! A 98. HOW DID I DO THAT?’ He looks up at Berman in astonishment. ‘That thing you did on the Taylor polynomial question-we hadn’t really done that in class- and you somehow figured it out on your own,’ the teacher says’ looking at Cedric reverently. ‘Just amazing.’” This is when Cedric knew that he had to find ways to learn certain things without realizing he would ever need

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