Do grades really matter?

Who is smarter?

Two friends got admission to study in the university. While one struggled to pass his courses throughout the duration of the program, the other was outstanding and finished in flying colours. The gap between them in terms of subject grades is like the distance between the sky and the earth. The academically brilliant student stole all the shows during the convocation while the other was relegated to the background.

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While the brilliant student recognized his strength, he focused and harnessed it for a comparative advantage. He dedicated all his time to study, hardly wasted any time on frivolous activities. His movement was usually a three-way traffic; hostel-classes-library. Hardly did he participated in any extra-curricular activity. He believed his academic brilliancy would see him through in life. Perhaps, he was be right; or not.

On the other hand, the less brilliant student made efforts to improve his grades, but the more he tried, the lesser he got. He gave up trying harder and channeled his energy towards getting relevant skills that will see him through life, since grades might be out of it. He was quite good at practical applications of theories, if only that was enough for good grades. He focused more on self development, acquired skills, made connections and became more involved in campus activities such as debates, politics and sports.

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The big question!

At this point, let me ask my readers, who among the two do you think has a better chance of making it in life? As far as I am concerned, there is no right or wrong answer. However, the political and economic status of the environment both will operate at the end of their study matters. Take my dear country for example, where getting a job has almost nothing to do with your grades or how brilliant you are. In the case of the two friends, the less brilliant is better equipped to face the uncertainties that the labour market has to offer.

My experience: the best teacher

Personally, I have seen a supposedly brilliant student in school struggling to land a job after school, whereas, an average student dictates terms and conditions to employers because he was more prepared to face reality. Most students with good grades sometimes get carried away by their own brilliance and feel the real world is run by grades. The less brilliant students on the other hand resign to future without good grades and channel their energy towards building themselves and preparing for future challenges - the one without good grades.

This is one of the reasons most business owners in our society really do not have history of very good grades while in school and it is also the reason the good grade holders end up working for the not so good grade holders.

Not to be misconstrued, good grades are ok, in fact very ok. But most of the times, especially in these modern societies, one needs more in order to survive. While the brilliant ones are probably languishing in the sun seeking for unavailable employments, the not so brilliant ones are planning on how to be a successful business owners. The result? The brilliant ones end up managing the business for their not so brilliant counterparts.

A word, they say, is enough for the wise!

Thanks a lot for reading