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MIT Department of Materials Science and Engineering
MIT Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Slice of MIT | April 21, 2026

Tech Reflection: 1980 tests in 3.091

Alumnus Tom Davis recalls a “soul-crushing” first exam—and the TA who pushed him to bounce back.
Categories: Alumni
Alumnus Tom Davis displays the first exam he took at MIT and recalls the TA’s remark that pushed him to improve.
Photo illustration by Gretchen Neff Lambert; images courtesy of Tom Davis

Tom Davis ’84, SM ’85: “These are images of quizzes I took in (3.091 Introduction to Solid-State Chemistry) as a freshman in the fall of 1980.

“One is my very first exam at MIT, and I will never forget it. Getting 49 out of 100 was a soul-crushing experience. I can still picture the TA for the class, Leszek Pawlowicz PhD ’87, returning my paper. He had a big smile on his face, and he said something to the effect of, ‘I expect to see you double your score on the next quiz!’ At this remove, I’m comfortable saying he was not mocking me. He was encouraging. (I might have felt differently that day.)

“Well, I got the message. Studying at MIT was not like studying in high school, but I figured things out. I did double my score and then some—I got 100 out of 100 on the next quiz. Moreover, I kept it up. I graduated with good enough grades to get me into grad school. All it took, it seems, was that initial kick in the seat of my pants, then a kind hand helping me up off the ground.

“Recently, I connected with Leszek to thank him, and he replied with a charming note: ‘One doesn’t often hear about how they changed someone’s life for the better, so I very much appreciated learning your story.’ 

“For my part, I have to say it felt good to reconnect and let Leszek know how much his encouragement meant to me. A good TA can really have lasting impact!”

Tom Davis lives in Massachusetts and recently retired after a career in supply chain management.