A Grade Does Not Define Success

Growing up, I pondered who I would become once I grew up, however, this question remained a mystery. Unlike my peers and family members, I struggled to perform well in school and my achievements seemed more of a coincidence. I constantly struggled to acknowledge my achievements and efforts, especially at school, resulting in an unhealthy expectation that I would always fail. It was not until recently that I truly understood myself and what I was capable of. I did not fully understand what success was and what the word ‘ determination’ truly meant, however, I believed in pushing myself regardless of what I was studying at school.

Consequently, I did not accept a grade below an A or an A*, resulting in an unhealthy health battle. When I received my A-level grades, I was disappointed as my provisional results were not all A’s. This setback forced me to reevaluate my perception of success and what it truly meant to be determined and motivated.

Following GCSE and A Level results, many people were forced into a state of disappointment, however, that should not be the case. After a long and troublesome battle with self-confidence and low self-esteem, I realized that a grade is not the definition of success. It’s also not the definition of one’s skill or intelligence. An individual could essentially have relatively lower grades but could still be a successful member of society. The notion that grades are crucial is exaggerated and reinforced within society, which raises a concern as people should be raised ambitious and motivated, aspiring to contribute within society.

An “A” on a piece of paper might bring a person some sort of satisfaction, but people should not be raised in a suffocating environment that only focuses on grades as they have much more to offer within society. One thing that society does not consider is the fact that many people struggle with taking exams due to anxiety or stress. Therefore, these people might feel alienated, struggling to find opportunities. Secondly, if someone has learning disabilities and is unable to perform well in exams, is it okay for them to be seen as unsuccessful? No, it is not.

Unfortunately, as a society, we are wired to follow the traditional approach which suggests the exaggerated significance of grades. As individuals, we should prioritize grades, however, we should also recognize factors such as attitude, punctuality, degree of professionalism, and communication skills which are more significant now due to increased competition. In a modern society that is currently on the verge of technological development, grades don’t matter to the same extent. For instance, when applying to Universities such as in the US, grades aren’t the sole focus in an application and things like your extracurriculars, experience and passion are also considered. What matters and is valued the most is who the person is and their writing skills. Therefore, it is pivotal to shift focus and the perceived significance of grades within society.