That is awesome that you are taking the class. Continuing to learn, explore and grow is where it is at. When the focus is outside of ourselves the world is open to us. When it is turned inward and the focus is all about us or what we think might give us status our sight is blinded to all the possibilities that surround us. There is a time for outside validation you can get from competing against others when you are learning but as you progress that becomes more of a handicap than a benefit. It is very freeing to throw off those restraints and give yourself permission to follow your own roads.