KoreofClassics

Hi, this is my first time attending such a conference and I have some silly questions that I feel (ah) a bit too embarrassed to ask my colleagues/peers. If anyone can help, I'd be eternally grateful! Firstly, what is the protocol? What should I be expecting in terms of the mingling-wallflower ratio? Furthermore, what is the dress code? Finally, is the banquet mandatory (and the aforementioned questions applied here as well)? Again, thank you.

I'm in my first semester, first year in Classics, and I just feel awful all the time. I do all the homework and speak up in my seminars (although I feel my profs think I'm a complete weirdo who talks nonsense). Latin has always been an easy A for me in undergrad, but lately I've been getting 70's on my midterms, and for one Latin class, I'm pretty sure my prof is creating an extra credit assignment just so I don't completely fail... I just presented a paper for the first time today, and I originally felt good about it! My prof addressed the pros and cons, and everything seemed constructive enough. Then another student presented, and the prof was absolutely over the moon raving. I feel like no matter how hard I study, I just am not cut out for a master's program. I think my transcript and experience going in has been a false seller of my actual abilities (or lack thereof). I constantly feel stupid and lost in the weeds, and I've never worked harder in my entire life. I've re-calibrated the way I study, practiced restraint, and have been as critical as I possible could. It just doesn't seem like any of it is paying off, and now I am desperate for a win. Does anyone have advice moving forward? Is grad school simply not for me? It would be so greatly appreciated.