High marks at school

shycrs

Member
I would like to know whether in your country having high marks at school is kind of a "crime" or not; here in Italy having high marks brings you high risks of loneliness (especially at high school), What about there? Are you hard students? And if you are, did it "help" to make your way of life worse?! I'm gonna answer as the first one: well, yeah, i had high marks and I'm sure it made (and makes) my life worse about social relations. I am italian and here to have a career is more important knowing the "right people", being inside a political party and as well as inside a trade union association... Studying hard at home is something for losers, but maybe things are going to change soon...
 

jaim38

Well-known member
I also had high marks during high school but was never popular. In the US, it's the same thing; you need to know the right people and have good social skills in order to get jobs. Here is something embarrassing that I have to admit: when I was at social gatherings, I brought my book with me to study! I remember bringing a textbook to a family gathering and getting weird responses from my relatives. And some people call me crazy for this. I guess people want me to enjoy my time, but instead, I'm busy trying to study for tests and exams. I cared more about school than social life. I used to think social events are huge time wasters. Plus, I am a perfectionist so I try to score the highest that I can on tests, so I study hard.
 

hardy

Well-known member
just a thought...how about just getting 70 % and learning other things in life ? I missed out on so many things by being a book-worm and a TV addict.

I missed out on most important things in life like helping my mom out in her garden,kitchen....missed out on the friendly fights with my brother....missed out on the interesting discussions with dad and others during dinner. Missed out on making real friendships.....knowing friends deepest secrets and never telling them to anyone....or doing a mistake with them. I spent more time on books and TV and i really regret it.

It's up to you how you live...but i think getting really good marks is a waste of time and energy if you are not learning other things in life. At least give up the books on weekends...i never listened to my uncle's advise on this and i can't get back my childhood.
 

Starry

Well-known member
The only thing which high marks did for me was create anxiety because people would speak to me to get help with their work... They wouldn't speak otherwise, of course... Honestly, I had "friends" who would phone up just to get help with homework, but who would phone their other friends just to chat and laugh... Nothing like being used for your brain. Although, some people did look up to me, I remember awe-filled gasps when a teacher read out results of a test once because I got the best result in the school... Which wasn't saying much at my school, really... lol
 

mikebird

Banned
I want to praise you for this!!!

It's a complete truism which, I think I relied on my exams to be the person I hoped to be. All my peers were the same. Get taught. Pass tests. We respected each other. I thought I was set to become successful

I've discovered more people in life who hated / quit school.

Being a geek / nerd, who never planned to intercommunicate with idiots. In a world of glee, peck on the cheek, dancing, cheers, and say cheese to the camera.

It's taken me too many years to see the demands of people I have to measure up to.

Hmm... politicians. The iQ of a corner shop owner. Infinitely capable of smiling and giggling.

I have perfectionist highlighted right at the centre of my CV! I put years of details & constant updates to that CV. I get the feeling that recruiters / employers who read that have no time, interest or understanding to go beyond the first line of 4 pages. I started with a 9-page CV, which was derided, so I maintain a 4-pager, and even a 1-page for the visually-challenged, or worse

I'm quite glad to have a friend I have a slight dislike of, being set apart from my groups: student/graduate favourites or those who do manual work, driving forklifts and van delivery, and always 'bunked off' school. They think it's absurd for people to read a book

My big brother, who became an international chef, knowing most languages by ship travel onboard, and built his business of catering equipment reconditioning in the 1980s, with many daughters between wives, who sees me as the weirdo. I found him difficult to understand / copy / become. I think there are different types in the world, who are valid, but require the x-factor of luck

I could have thrived by setting aside my scientist / mathematician side, and concentrated on music, sport or the Armed Forces
 
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It seems okay in my country (New Zealand) to get high marks, but maybe not in everything. And certainly don't boast about it. I got top marks in my specialist subjects (maths, science, accounting, etc), but was just average & even below in some others. In my top classes getting high marks got you respect from peers (& maybe a tad envy!). And i knew people who were BOTH high achievers AND sporty/sociable .. so it IS possible to be both.
 

Diend

Well-known member
Equating hard workers with loserdom is absolutely ridiculous. The technological advances have all come with people who studied biology, chemistry and engineering. These innovative people should be praised as they have given gifts to the modern world to all of us.
 

laure15

Well-known member
Equating hard workers with loserdom is absolutely ridiculous. The technological advances have all come with people who studied biology, chemistry and engineering. These innovative people should be praised as they have given gifts to the modern world to all of us.

This is true. I work hard at school and should be proud of it. I am one of those people who make high marks at school. However, I will not tell people that I study a lot or share my grades with them. I know I will get ostracized if I tell them my grades. I don't want anyone to get jealous. If someone asks, I will probably lie and say I got a mediocre grade. I think there was an experiment that tested how people react to overly generous and cheap individuals. Researchers discovered both were ostracized. If there's anything I learn, it's not to brag or emphasize how "beyond normal" you are.
 
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