In high school, I was a 4.0 student. Constantly told that a B was not good enough and that I was more than capable of an A. A strange mix of pressure and encouragement when I think about it. I cannot deny that I have always enjoyed academics and that I succeeded in them with studying and doing my homework. Nonetheless it was still unacceptable to have a B.
They told me I had to go in and talk to my teachers, do everything I could to get an A like redoing papers or correcting my exams. I put in hours to make sure that I succeeded in my classes and got a 4.0. This is certainly not to say that I don’t appreciate the work ethic that my parents have instilled in me or that they helped me take accountability for my own actions and do my very best in academics. I gained a lot of scholarships that have helped put me through college and pay for my living expenses, I just wish there had not been so much pressure since I was a teenager.
Taking this with me to college, it felt strange my first semester when I was getting a B in chemistry. My parents weren’t there to tell me I wasn’t doing my best or that a B was unacceptable. I had to make the decision on my own that it was finally okay to not have the 4.0 that I was always expected to have. While having a 4.0 in college would have been amazing, I think that other would agree when I say that it’s not very feasible. Props to those who can and I hope one day to have that kind of dedication and work ethic, but for now I’m going to enjoy my college days and enjoy my classes, without having to stress over a 4.0.
A 4.0 is also not as valuable as it was in highschool, getting the degree alone means you’ve put in the work to give yourself the title of bachelors or associates in whatever field. That is good enough for me. (You should still work hard though.)