Today’s Lesson: Traumatic Core Memories!

This happened several years ago now, longer than I care to admit, but I will never forget it. I was and still am an anxious person. I am also very devoted when it comes to work, and at school, I was a good student. Maybe not the best at every subject, but I was no trouble. I did my homework. I was good.

One day, we were given a project to take home and finish, and we were meant to bring it back for the next lesson. Of course, I forgot it. As soon as I realised, I trotted off to the office to use the phone (paid 20p for the privilege, the joys of life before mobile phones) and called home to ask my mum to please bring it. She said she would.

It got to the lesson where the said project was needed, and the teacher asked for our projects individually. She got to me, and that’s where a core memory was created.

Teacher: “[My Name], do you have your project?”

Me: “Sorry, I forgot it, but my mum—”

Teacher: *Slams down the stack of projects she’s holding and starts yelling.* “[MY NAME]! How do you expect to contribute if you can’t even be bothered to finish it? I suppose you have some valid excuse? You’ll have to redo it all in detention at lunch time today. Now, for those of you who could be bothered—”

Just then, there was a knock at the door. It was one of the receptionist staff.

Receptionist: “Hi! Sorry to disturb. I have [My Name]’s project here. Her mum dropped it off.”

The teacher had a certain look of regret on her face, and I didn’t get to take in any of the lesson because I had been hyperventilating due to crying from the sudden yelling…

I’d understand, maybe if I were a bad student and this kept happening. But as a one-off? No.

Maybe that teacher had other things going on, but maybe don’t take it out on students! She did later apologise, which I suppose redeemed her slightly, but the fact that moment sticks out in my memory after so long speaks volumes.