This happened during my second year in college ( third semester to be accurate).

I love reading novels so much that I never study the engineering subjects regularly.

So, we used to have three internal examination of all the six paper in the current semester to ensure that we are learning progressively and to make us ready for the semester exams.

The exam will be conducted for 50 marks and it will be converted to 100 marks. For 100 marks if you score above 35 marks you are declared a PASS. The exam is conducted for 1.30 hours.

So, I had a paper called “Mechanics of Solids”. It was a problem oriented paper. I loved the subject. It was interesting.

The staff who handled this paper for me was my Head of the Department, Dr.S. Parbhavathy mam. I always solved the problems quickly that she dictates in the class.

So I was one of her favourite student in the class. The time for the first internal approached.

I was busy in reading some novel the night before the exam for long hours that I just slept in the examination hall.

I wrote few answers to save myself from the embrassment of handing over an empty sheet of paper to the invigilator.

The answer paper was corrected and results were announced. I have scored 20 marks out of 100 marks. I know even the 20 marks was awarded due to my mam's gracious heart.

Then, all the students who failed were summoned by her and given a warning to concentrate more on the subject. She looked at me and said sternly “Gowri, stop sleeping in exam halls”

The invigilator had conveyed the news about my good sleep to her. I just nodded my head in affirmation that I accept her opinion.

In the next two internal examination, I scored Centum. But, the sweet revenge is that I completed answering all the questions in 45 minutes and slept peacefully for the remaining 45 minutes.

And yes her advice to not sleep during examinations continued. ;)