There is one thing I would like to admit about myself: I am not the smartest chap in the room. One may wonder if that’s a point of concern as not everyone is destined to be a prodigy. The truth is yes it is: the grade-obsessed culture we have in Pakistan has distorted our perception of success. Better grades mean better job opportunities and eventually success. Throughout my whole life, I have been chasing after good grades. Has this chase been successful? honestly speaking no. However, regardless of its outcome, I have always indulged in this race in every passing semester/ term.
The reason why I take part in this “race”
The current education system makes students strive towards achieving higher grades rather than a good education. Therefore, such an attitude encourages students to run after higher grades at the expense of learning. Furthermore, this marathon only rewards the luckiest and the smartest participants in the form of social validation. However, one may question if this prize is worth the pain? the truth is yes.
Social validation is a part of every desi kid’s DNA. Furthermore, since childhood, the importance of other people’s acceptance has been instilled in us. Additionally, we also get a certain high from people praising us. Consequently, to achieve this feeling we are ready to go to any extreme. Therefore, the reason why I was a part of this “race” was to follow the path set by the current system and to clench my thirst for social validation.
How has this “race” affected me?
I may have been able to survive the current education system through participating in this twisted race for a higher grade, but was I thriving? The answer is no. I am a dim-witted girl in a sharp-witted world. My slow thinking skills place me at a disadvantage against my fellow classmates. Such deficiency makes the individual feel like an outcast. Furthermore, the reduction of my self-worth to the type of grades I got was really dehumanizing. I could feel my self-esteem fall if my grades fluctuated or I wasn’t able to answer a question properly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I have decided to make learning my first priority. Reflecting on the pain I had to go through making grades my top priority has made me realize that it’s time for me to stop and re-evaluate the purpose of my education. I had to decide if I wanted a beautiful transcript or a well-rounded personality when I graduate from IBA and I choose the latter.
