Academic Spotlight

Lately I have been exposed to a lot of unwanted stress. For some reason most of my colleagues see me as smarter than they are and come to me for all sorts of medical advice. All of a sudden everybody seems to know me and enjoy talking to me about academic subjects and what my study methods are.

For example last month we had a campus BBQ and I decided to sit with a bunch of middle aged ladies to catch up. As soon as I sat with them they put me on the spot. They bombarded me with how I study, how to answer the next exam question, and whether I can give them any hints for the finals without giving any thought of asking me how I have been since I have chatted to them! Apparently I've become a walking source of information.

I feel like some public tool to which everybody turns to. On week ago I rang a friend to see how she was doing and she went straight into university work. No discussions or anything of the like.
Two days ago my friends and I were mucking around in the library and this man I hardly know came up to me and begged me to check his work. I did not turn him down because there were heaps of people watching but seriously I felt a bit annoyed.

Previously I was able to log on to MSN and have casual chats with my friends. Since this semester I usually get greeted with panicky girls asking me academic questions and telling me how smart I am. It seems that I have transformed into the fountain of knowledge, or the shaman of knowhow.

The message here is not that I am too good for my friends or that I am superior to them academically, but that all this is giving my unnecessary pressure. In fact, as a reader you probably think I am the sucker by "falling" for their bait and doing work for them. But no, I am doing it out of kindness and because I don't want to see my fellow friends fail just because I did not help them.

In fact, I am not that smart. Heck, there are heaps more better students than I am; and experience wise I am lackluster.

When I get put into this kind of position there is an expectation, or an ego that is placed upon my shoulders. I tell friends I don't understand parts too, but they ask for my opinion anyway. If they do badly with my advice I think fingers will start pointing. But if I don't help then words will start spreading.

I don't need this extra pressure. I am already feeling burnt out by this course. We have no had rest since it has started and quite frankly, I'm starting not to care anymore.

P.S Thanks Rianne for checking my work. you have been the only person to have helped me academically lately.