The Competition in Selective Schools
Is something that really annoys me to be honest. Everything in a selective school is so focused on being the best. The best academically, the best in sport, in music, dance, drama, art, textiles, public speaking etc. The list goes on. But you have to be the best. Because nothing but the best is good enough.
I really don’t like it how you feel embarassed to tell your friends you got an 80 in maths or something because everyone else is getting higher, and and 80 is soo low, when really its fantastic.
I don’t like it how people brag about when they get really good marks and are really smug about it but when they get a “bad” mark, (more like and 80) they get all withdrawn and defensive about telling people what they got. Now everyone is allowed to keep it to themselves if they want and that’s fine, but I think it’s stupid when people keep it themselves only cos they think it’s a “bad mark”.
I know I probably sound like a grumbling cynic but it just annoys me how much emphasis is placed on being the top and doing well in school life.
Reality check guys, school isn’t that important. I’m not saying not to try, by all means try your heart out, I’m planning on doing well next year too, but keep things in perspective.
You don’t have to be the best at everything to be successful. You don’t even have to be the best at anything. And if you’re not the best, you’re no different, no worse.
Because in the end, it really doesn’t matter.
Wohoo, you updated! I agree with you – this school is way too competitive. There’s too much focus on being at the top. We (well, not me, other people) get rewarded for being top of the class, but that’s pretty unfair in a selective school. Technically we are ALL top of the class if you think about it with the whole of NSW. I agree when you said being the best isn’t necessarily successful. Next year, we’re getting ranked. I’m going to be ranked like 75 out of 168 (or whatever) next year for, say A. English – it sounds really bad like that. But if I were in another school I’d be in like the top 10.
Yes, school isn’t important. There are so many more interesting things to do with your time, and yet a lot of people in our grade make it seem like the most important thing to them. But we should still try. And school is fun. And our school rocks, most of the time.
BYE!
Oh I’ve never been to a school like that. I’ve only gone to a public elementary school and a public high school. Both of which are right beside each other. I’m definitely competitive with my other classmates but I’m not top of the class. Just on the honor roll…and so many people are on it.
I think school is important but not too important. I definitely prefer hanging out with my friends and doing different things with them. What grade are you in?
Tara
Hey! I didn’t know you had a blog. Cool. And yeah, I totally agree with you about the competitiveness thing. Especially this year. And another thing that annoys me is that there are some people who don’t seem to do any work that always outdo the people who try their hearts out. (I can’t think of any examples but I’m sure it’s happened)
Another thing to add to our hate list!
I have to say I wholeheartedly agree. It really annoys me that some people are really competitive, and they think their mark is ‘Really bad’, but when you say that you got a lower one, it’s ‘a really good mark!’. Are they just lying, or is that mark ok for you, but not for them.
I can think of one particular class ‘hint hint’ where almost all the class are super competitive, and they can’t hack it when they get one mark taken off. That is quite annoying.
P.S. I like your blog. It’s cool