I'll start out by saying that I HATED organic chemistry. So you're in good company.
Do you have a competitive drive? YES, I am very aggressive with regards to competition. I like kicking ass whenever possible.
Do you enjoy competing? YES. Especially when I win.
Professionally, Academically, or Athletically? Profesionally, not so much, since I hate the world of publish or perish. I don't see that as a worthy competition to engage in. Academically, yes, if I have any chance of "winning" (getting an A). This is what statistics drove me batty... I SUCKED at it, and had to admit this on a daily basis. I had to remind myself that competition would get me nowhere in that class. Still, I checked the class scores on every assignment to see where I was "placing."
If you do enjoy competition, what drives you? Adrenaline, testosterone, whatever you want to call it. I love the rush, and the risk, of putting myself out there. I feel empowered and strong when I compete, even when I lose. I don't feel afraid of anything at those times, and it feels like I can kick anyone's ass. I suppose I love having that kind of confidence, at those times.
If you don't, what holds you back? The only time I feel "held back" in competition is if I obviously lack the skills to compete at any kind of an equal level. This happens in areas where I just can't "pick up" the skill on the fly, which really frustrates me. I am notoriously impatient, especially with myself.
Do you think that your status as a woman has much to do with your stance? I doubt it. My dad raised me pretty androgynously, so that I could function as well in men's roles as women's roles, if not moreso (I played with his carpentry tools far more than I ever touched the one Barbie someone gave me). I think THAT had a lot to do with my stance, but not the fact that I am a woman. Being a woman is cool when you're competitive, though, because not a lot of other women are that competitive... so you're playing with the boys most of the time. Which I like.
(They are WAY more competitive and fun, and they like to kick ass too, which is a good challenge for me.) It's pretty hard for me to back down and NOT be competitive, even to my own detriment at times.
In general, I have the kind of attitude that there is nothing I cannot do. Other than statistics
. But with that attitude, I become pretty much competitive in anything I do, because I'm convinced that I can do it, I can learn it, just gimme time and I'll catch up and kick ass... which is what makes me a very aggressive person. As I said, sometimes I simply have to force myself to back down to avoid putting myself in danger, since I am rather drawn to risk.