Grades Aren’t The Most Important Thing

So if you're reading this article, then chances are you care about your grades. You're working hard and putting in the hours of study to make sure you do well. If you're not scribbling away a solution, perhaps you're on MyGuru trying to get some understanding of what it is you need to write. I commend you!

However, I'm here to tell you that while getting good grades is vital, it isn't the most important thing in your life. Achieving in high school improves your chances of being accepted into a good university. Employers will often require your university academic transcript so it is important to do your best. However, they also look at what you've been doing outside the world of academia. Extra-curricular activities such as much music and sports go a long way to make you stand out, even if you do just participate in them for the fun of it. Companies want individuals who are well rounded.

Now I'm not saying this to encourage slacking off. A lazy attitude will definitely not help you at all. Simply look at your education as a means to an end. Even at a high school level, getting an education is a privilege and an opportunity to better yourself. Don't just cram and memorise everything without trying to understand it. Perhaps look for a way that you can apply what you learn in real life. (For some examples of this, have a look at the videos on the ‘What's the Point?' playlist on MyGuru).

Don't burn out today for a better tomorrow. If you find yourself skipping sleep just so you can squeeze in a few extra hours of study, you're likely going to have trouble later on. Burning the candle at both ends will cause you to pay less attention at school and have less energy afterwards. While you may have to put in a lot of study time come exam time, make sure to make time for activities that aren't related to school work - even if you don't spend that long on them. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

Get passionate about your study! This can be quite difficult at high school because you think, or know, that a lot of what you're learning is irrelevant. Nonetheless, remember that good grades at high school will let you pick (with some degree of freedom) your majors and units and university.

You may know of many people who didn't get good grades but still made it big. Conversely, there are others who worked hard at their academics and made it far. Grades aren't the common thread. Passion is.

So get out of the house. Enjoy some sun. Come back in. Study for a bit. Focus on the things you're passionate about. Grades are not the most important thing in your life.

You are.

Article reproduced, thanks to MyGuru.