Why Being Not a Straight-A Student Is Perfectly Okay

So, you don’t get straight A’s as a high school or college student? Let’s say you expected your grades to be higher, but the reality is different. You know what? It’s absolutely fine. And this blog post will tell why you should accept that you are not a “perfect student” and why you should not worry about that.

Perfectionism Is Destructive Sometimes

We don’t say that you don’t need to try at all – eventually, you don’t want to be kicked out of college, right? And we don’t say that being a straight-A student is a bad thing. We just want you to know that sometimes being not the best doesn’t mean being the worst.

But why is perfectionism so common among the students? And why is it not that great to be affected by it? Many students struggle with stress while studying in high school and college. They find themselves under the pressure of their parents, teachers, and high hopes. This is what makes studying so hard and might even cause mental issues. Modern study culture might be unforgivable sometimes, establishing high standards.

Well, we all try our best. But for some of us, even mediocre results are equal to failure. This is the situation that is caused by excessive perfectionism. We tend to perceive the world in blacks and whites, while there are multiple shades of grey. Being not a straight-a student just means you are not on the top. But it doesn’t mean that you are at the bottom. 

Here are a few signs that you might also be affected by excessive perfectionism:

• You want it all. If you are a perfectionist, you are more likely to be an all-or-nothing person. You want to be the best. Otherwise, you don’t even value your effort.
• You are very affected by your mistakes. This is a very common sign among perfectionists – they can be easily hurt by the slightest mistake. To the point when they even get depressed and show signs of unhealthy behavior.
• You are motivated mainly by your fear. Being afraid to fail surely affects and pushes us to work harder. However, this should not be the only motivation; otherwise, it might cause constant stress.
• You have set unrealistic goals and standards. We all should have goals. But when you feel like no matter how hard you try, you can’t achieve them, you should change your approach. High standards can also be destructive because they make you feel guilty for not trying enough.
• You are very competitive. Winning all the time is impossible. But when it comes to studying, there isn’t even a competition that you need to win. 

Achieving your goals and putting your effort into studying is always great. But it’s not worth paying a high price for it. Depression, mental health issues, eating and sleep disorders are very common among students. It’s not what you want to be a part of your life. So, let’s take a look at some things that might cheer you up and prove that being a straight-A student isn’t necessary to achieve your long-term goals. 

You Might Miss Precious Moments

Being a student is not only about studying math or science – it’s also about learning more about yourself, the people around you, and what you want to do in your life. Finding your motivation, inspiration, and your true desire in life is what you really need to focus on. 

But when you don’t have time for that because of long study sessions and lack of energy, is it possible to enjoy your life? Many people regret spending too much time worrying about their grades as they find that there were too many things they missed as students. Finding friends for life, discovering inner balance, and trying something new are parts of a student’s life. Save some energy for yourself and your health instead of stressing so much.

You Don’t Choose What You Really Want

When picking the classes for the next semester, think about what you really want to do in your life and what your interests are. Many straight-A students pick classes that would be great grade boosters instead of picking the ones they would enjoy.

Interesting and challenging classes might drop your GPA, but if that class is what makes you interested in studying, why not give it a try? Playing safe is not always as good as it sounds. If you wake up in the morning with the thought “I like this class, and it inspires me to go and learn something new,” then you should never regret taking it even if your grades are not as high as you want them to be.

Grades Are Not as Valuable as Work Experience

Many students have to choose between working a few hours extra and spending this time in a library. In a perfect situation, you can find the balance between the two. But it’s not always like that. So, you need to remember that internships and work experience make you stand out on a job interview much more than your grades. So, if you have a job offer, make sure you think twice about whether you should decline it or take it. And if you need some help with your homework, you can always turn to our team of writers.

It’s Not That Big of a Deal

Chances are your future employer will never ask you about your GPA at all. When you are one of the candidates, it’s not your GPA that helps the employer to make a decision. Many business owners admit that they hire people because of their vibes, skills, experience, personal qualities, and the fact how well they fit the collective, not because of their grades.

Of course, there are many jobs that will check your college performance, but there are also many that will not. And even more – you might start your own business.

Wrapping Up

Being a straight-A student is a goal of many freshmen. However, most of them find out that it’s too challenging shortly after they start their first semester. So, should you be worried? Absolutely no! Value your time and your life experience in college. Make sure you put your effort into studying but don’t get stressed because of your grades. Life is much more than essays and GPA. Enjoy your life!