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Drive. Excellence. Two factors which clearly define success in the field of academics, or school (because most of us hate that word). This year I had the opportunity to attend summer classes in order to upgrade my mathematics average from what was 66% to what is now in the low 90's. One does not often come across somebody who spends two weeks, or even more, in a summer school course to upgrade an average above 65. In fact, I was the only person in my entire class who was simply doing that.
Most of today's youth have just one thing on their mind: passing. One simply requires an average of 50% today for satisfaction. But where is the drive? Where is the standard of excellence each and every one of us should be looking for in our grades? It is certainly not inherent in the students of today, an especially not in those who I encountered during the past two weeks of summer school.
My academic saying is. "Why have a 50 when you can have a 60? Why have a 60 when you can have a 70? Why have a 70 when you can have an 80? Why have an 80 when you can have a 90?" Heck, let's go higher and ask why we should settle for a 90 when there is the highest standard of 100, sitting at our doorstep. But among this saying comes hardship and determination. You can walk into a class and pass, but only those who choose the higher road, only those who choose to take a step up to actually surpass what is expected of them, can truly say they've taken their effort and put it into something worthwhile. I'll quote President Obama when he said ". . . a B is great, but I thought there was something higher than than. And that something is called an A . . ." Wise words from a wise man, and wisdom is inherent in only few people.
Of course, I'm not saying academic achievement is everything, but it is something. Your own goals are the most important in the end, but why not make those goals high ones? Write yourself a fake report card and aim to make what is fake, something real. Because when you work hard and achieve, nothing feels better. Nothing feels better than making your parents proud. Nothing feels better than making you proud. It's a feeling of great achievement.
Remember the world is in our hands. We can do anything we want, and anything wants us. Some things require determination. Some things require luck. Some things require both. But above all, all things are possible. In a world where you have the power, where you can become president or become a biologist, anything and everything can go. Aim high, strive for high, be high. But just remember one thing: even if you achieve low, if you worked hard, it's all excellence. It's all drive.
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