For tertiary institution students, this is probably one of such questions that plagues the mind as they transition through several courses of study and try to prove, every semester, that they are worth another try and worthy of going to the next level. For some students, the stress they undergo to get impressive grades are worth the while; for others, it is not worthwhile to go through such rigours for mere numbers that try to measure how intelligent or smart you are. I have listened to these two opinions and I think both sides need to be heard to get a reasonable answer to the above question.
The first opinion says,YES. Grades do matter! They say if you are looking to go far and rub minds and hands with those going far too, you have to focus on making those grades high. There are lots of benefits out there for those who graduate from tertiary institutions with first class honours and at least second class upper grade. They have blank cheques for scholarships to further their academic and professional pursuits. Universities, both international and national open their doors wide for these brainy people. Nigerians are going against the idea that Africans are not logical beings by working hard to attain high honors. This also includes Nigerians in universities abroad who as a result of this take up positions of authority at home and abroad. The effort they put in getting those grades was the first stepping stone they had to take so that all these opportunities could be open to them. A primary example of this is Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Nigeria’s Minister for Finance.
The second opinion says grades might matter to get great opportunities, but giving everything to attaining high grades as if that is all there is to life is an uncomfortable thought they are unwilling to accept. Those of this school of thought are likely to say things such as: “What if a fire takes place and burn the certificates – the only written and authentic proof that you achieved great grades in school, how does one prove oneself while waiting to get another?” They paint this scenario to show that although there might be opportunities awaiting those who are with great grades, it is not the only defining opportunity one has and that those without it are not destined to failure. There are some people who did not do amazingly well in school yet still went on to become entrepreneurs, paving their own path, making their own laws, and are eventually shaking hands and rubbing minds with those who had the great grades. There is also a saying that those who get good grades tend to eventually work for those with the ideas, those who weren’t such high achievers in school e.g. Bill Gates.
We say that there are no hard and fast rules about these things. Do excellent grades matter? Yes. Do they in a way measure how competent you are? Yes. Are they the sole determinant of how good you can be in life? No. Does it matter to employers what your grades are? Yes, especially for large companies, but for small companies and start ups, you can leave your grade out and write about successful experiences on your resume. Does having great grades open doors of opportunities to you? Yes. Without great grades, are you a failure? A big NO!
Failing is only determined when you quit and give up on yourself, but so long as you are giving it your best shot, great grades or none, you have every chance to succeed. So, take getting those great grades seriously, it will open you up to opportunities that can make you better, but never limit your abilities or capacity by the marking you have on your certificate. Even with great grades, your capacity and abilities are beyond what those numbers can measure. Give equal effort to your academics and in your extracurricular activities. Let the effort you give to each be your best. They will both serve as gain to you no matter what life throws at you.
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This article was first published on 26th March 2014
Comments (1)
For tertiary institution students, this is probably one of such questions that plagues the mind as they transition through several courses of study and try to prove, every semester, that they are worth another try and worthy of going to the next level. For some students, the stress they undergo to get impressive grades are worth the while; for others, it is not worthwhile to go through such rigours for mere numbers that try to measure how intelligent or smart you are. I have listened to these two opinions and I think both sides need to be heard to get a reasonable answer to the above question.
The first opinion says,YES. Grades do matter! They say if you are looking to go far and rub minds and hands with those going far too, you have to focus on making those grades high. There are lots of benefits out there for those who graduate from tertiary institutions with first class honours and at least second class upper grade. They have blank cheques for scholarships to further their academic and professional pursuits. Universities, both international and national open their doors wide for these brainy people. Nigerians are going against the idea that Africans are not logical beings by working hard to attain high honors. This also includes Nigerians in universities abroad who as a result of this take up positions of authority at home and abroad. The effort they put in getting those grades was the first stepping stone they had to take so that all these opportunities could be open to them. A primary example of this is Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Nigeria’s Minister for Finance.
The second opinion says grades might matter to get great opportunities, but giving everything to attaining high grades as if that is all there is to life is an uncomfortable thought they are unwilling to accept. Those of this school of thought are likely to say things such as: “What if a fire takes place and burn the certificates – the only written and authentic proof that you achieved great grades in school, how does one prove oneself while waiting to get another?” They paint this scenario to show that although there might be opportunities awaiting those who are with great grades, it is not the only defining opportunity one has and that those without it are not destined to failure. There are some people who did not do amazingly well in school yet still went on to become entrepreneurs, paving their own path, making their own laws, and are eventually shaking hands and rubbing minds with those who had the great grades. There is also a saying that those who get good grades tend to eventually work for those with the ideas, those who weren’t such high achievers in school e.g. Bill Gates.
We say that there are no hard and fast rules about these things. Do excellent grades matter? Yes. Do they in a way measure how competent you are? Yes. Are they the sole determinant of how good you can be in life? No. Does it matter to employers what your grades are? Yes, especially for large companies, but for small companies and start ups, you can leave your grade out and write about successful experiences on your resume. Does having great grades open doors of opportunities to you? Yes. Without great grades, are you a failure? A big NO!
Failing is only determined when you quit and give up on yourself, but so long as you are giving it your best shot, great grades or none, you have every chance to succeed. So, take getting those great grades seriously, it will open you up to opportunities that can make you better, but never limit your abilities or capacity by the marking you have on your certificate. Even with great grades, your capacity and abilities are beyond what those numbers can measure. Give equal effort to your academics and in your extracurricular activities. Let the effort you give to each be your best. They will both serve as gain to you no matter what life throws at you.
Does having great grades open doors of opportunities to you? Yes. Without great grades, are you a failure? A big NO! 8 ball pool mod apk