Why We Should Rethink What Success Looks Like in School

We exist in a world where success in school is boiled down to a few numbers on a report card. Grades, GPAs, SAT scores, and test scores have become the ultimate measures of academic success—and, by association, personal value. Is that really how we want to define success, though?

It's time to step back and rethink what success in school really is. For more and more students, the old markers are not just obsolete—they're counterproductive.

The Pressure Cooker of Performance

Ask any high school or college student how they're doing, and their answer will be: "Tired." Between homework, after-school activities, part-time jobs, and worrying about the future, most students are stuck in an endless cycle. And for what? A grade on a piece of paper?

The reality is, schools are less about learning now and more about succeeding. Students aren't asked questions anymore—they're instructed on how to be clever. Select the class that will increase your grades, not the one that requires you to think. Don't take risks, do what you know you can excel at, and whatever you do, don't fail.

This type of thinking not only hampers creativity and critical thinking—it also undermines your self-esteem. If you're only worth as much as your grades, what happens when you falter?

Success Is Not One-Size-Fits-All

It's too simplistic and untrue to assume that a student with a 4.0 GPA is necessarily more "successful" than a student with a 2.7 GPA. Grades don't tell you how empathetic you are, how hard you work, or how resilient you've become. They don't reveal the leadership you demonstrated on a group project, the compassion you had for a fellow student, or the perseverance it took to work while attending school.

A few of the most successful individuals in the world did not have perfect grades. In fact, a number of them struggled in standard school. Albert Einstein, Oprah Winfrey, and Steve Jobs are only some of the many individuals who achieved success in their own path. Their lives demonstrate that thinking differently, taking risks, and perseverance despite failure matter far more than test scores.

Redefining Success: An Individual Measure

So, what if we defined academic success on our own terms?

For some, success would be mastering the skills to do better incrementally—moving from Cs to Bs and being proud of the effort. For some, it could be speaking for the first time in class, overcoming shyness, or completing a course that was extremely challenging. Maybe it's studying a subject that they are really interested in, or studying what they would like to do as a career.

Success can also be described as accomplishing something—writing a short story, building a robot, or putting together a community event. They may not boost your GPA, but they make a lasting impression. They build confidence, competency, and a sense of purpose that no report card can show.

Supporting a New Definition

If we wish students to be successful, we must make the environments where all varieties of success can be seen and appreciated. We as educators can do our part by giving feedback beyond the grade, working on innovative projects, and giving time for learning and thinking. Parents and peers can also do their part by making the conversation go from "What did you get?" to "What did you learn?" We must urge employers and universities to look at more than just grades. Internships, portfolios, passion projects, and interviews have the ability to show a more well-rounded view of the capabilities and potential of an individual.

The Future of Education Revolves Around Individuals

Education should be an experience of discovery, exploration, and growth as individuals. Education should prepare students not only to pass examinations but to live meaningful lives. The next time someone asks you about your grades, don't hesitate to point out other areas where you are excelling. It could be learning self-defense, recovering from failures, or speaking up in a full room—these also matter. In the end, your GPA is not who you are. It's a person whom you become in the process.