It arrived in late December: a legal-sized envelope from my alma mater . At first, I thought it was just the usual fundraising letter, but then I saw the bolded, capped outer envelope message: CLASS AGENT LETTER ENCLOSED!

To quote Liz Lemon , my heroine from 30 Rock , "Blurg."

I dread the biannual letter from my class agent, which, according to my school, is supposed to "help to build informed, unified, and motivated classes for a stronger Augustana. Class Agents send a fall and winter letter to their classmates, keeping them informed of moves, marriages, family changes, new jobs, and awards."

Don't get me wrong. The agent for my own college class is a lovely person. Actually, she and I were friends — at least until we had a bit of a falling out during our senior year. It's just that all of my insecurities come rushing out whenever I open the envelope and read about my fellow alums' achievements.

"So-and-so moved to Dubai  and bought a palace!"
"So-and-so had her fifth child, and her entire family is in the Mensa®  program!"
"So-and-so received three Ph.D.s  and won the Nobel Prize !"

Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating just a little. But you get the idea.

I guess you never really stop competing with your classmates, even after you've been out of college for 15 years. And you never stop comparing yourself to them, either. Someone is always going to be smarter or richer or more fulfilled than you are, whether you open the envelope or not.

So I shouldn't let it get to me, right? The fact that my former classmates are doing well now is a testament to the quality of our education. It doesn't take anything away from my own success. And ultimately, it's cause for celebration, not angst.

How do you feel when you compare yourself to your fellow students (or don't you)? Does the competition throw you for a loop, or does it motivate you to work harder?