Disappointment & Collusion

My midterms are awful; the only shining line - dare I say, a sun that illuminates at the risk of burning my flesh - is that my midterm scores only apply if they help my final exam grades. Let's just say that this is an unlikely event in both of this term's courses.

What's the problem? I'm not a quant. I can follow the theories and takeaways, but the underlying arithmetic is a hedgerow maze of mathematical transformations. I understand the fundamentals of supply/demand curves and statistical analysis, I just seem to get the basic math wrong. I've spoken with both professors and obtained guidance on my weak spots, but still, it's hard not to feel a little daunted. 

One thing though - one prof makes continuous references to the "Stern curve", as if to chuckle and say, hey it doesn't matter, you're all going to be fine in this program. He's made comments to the effect of us being yuppies. Yuppies? Generous curve? Success no matter our interim failures? I find that hard to believe, or at least hard to take heart in. 

All things considered, I am paying more attention now, not only in class (I was paying attention before! I swear!) but in devoting an entire day on each weekend to study. I want to do well, even in my weak areas.