In her memoir "Hunger," Roxane Gay reflects on her intense anxiety surrounding academic expectations. She attributes this pressure to a variety of personal factors, highlighting her desire to excel in school as a source of comfort and control in her life. The structure of schoolwork allowed her to divert her attention from more complicated personal issues.

Gay explains that her ability to study effectively and master complex topics provided a sense of security, especially when those subjects did not relate to her own experiences or identity. This distinction emphasizes how she navigated through life's challenges by focusing on academic achievements, ultimately revealing her struggle with deeper emotional and physical issues.