In honour of this year's college admissions cycle finally coming to a close, and with summer giving us all a well-deserved break, it’s the perfect time to talk about something that most teens know too well: the pressure to be academically perfect. Whether you're applying to college, choosing a major, or just trying to survive high school, we've come to realise that to others, our school or academic record defines us.

Sure, we're told it's a "harsh" truth, but in all honesty, our worth is not defined by our GPA, test scores, or the diploma we receive. It never has been.

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The Toxic Obsession With Prestige

The significance of education is drilled into our heads early. It could be the "honours only" class you have to take to be taken seriously. It could be watching your classmates flexing their schedules and the competitions they're participating in, or hearing how someone got admitted into a prestigious university. It could be your parents or grandparents comparing you with your sibling or cousin, asking why you didn't do better.

For me, it was the IGCSE Additional Maths class that showed how you were ahead of everyone else. It was the opportunities or internships that other people got, while I sat back, wishing I could be the same. It was being compared to my sister, who always did better academically.

The toxic belief that has gained popularity is that the more impressive your academic background looks on paper, the more valuable you are as a person. That's not education, but branding and treating diplomas or awards like status symbols, which misses the entire point of learning.

A shiny diploma doesn't guarantee intelligence, kindness, creativity, or even long-term success. It reflects privilege more than passion, and pressure more than purpose.

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Are They Really "Smart"?

Let's talk about the elephant in the room: getting into top schools can have more to do with privilege than potential.

Private tutors. SAT prep classes. Legacy admissions.

Connections. The "right" extracurriculars (that not everyone can afford). The college admissions game is rigged in favour of people with access, and that leaves a lot of brilliant, talented teens behind.

Those with incredible ideas, work ethic, and vision feel crushed because they didn't get into a big-name university. Others coast into elite schools thanks to networks and resources most students could only dream of.

When we act like elite diplomas = elite people, we're ignoring all the factors that gave some students a head start.

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Real Success Isn't in a Transcript

Most of us probably weren't truly inspired by someone just because of their GPA. Chances are, the people we admire most, whether it's creators, artists, entrepreneurs, or everyday role models, are inspiring because of how they think, create, and connect with others. It's not because of the name of their school.

I'm not saying education doesn't matter, but education is certainly not a ranking system. Rather, it's supposed to be a tool. A good one opens your mind, not just doors. Some of the most meaningful learning experiences don’t come from lectures, but from life itself.

As teens, we can't change the whole education system overnight, but we can start changing how we talk about it and how we think about our own value.

Here are a few ways to start:

1. Stop idolising school names: ask people what they're learning or loving, not just where they go.
2. Redefine success: it can look like starting a blog, learning a new skill, taking care of your mental health, or simply figuring yourself out.
3. Unfollow comparison: if certain posts or people make you feel "less than" because of school stuff, it's okay to take a break.
4. Celebrate the non-traditional paths: community college, gap years, trade schools, and even skipping college altogether can be amazing choices. They don't make anyone "less smart."

The world needs more people who are curious, kind, and authentic, not just people with bulletproof résumés. You are enough without a fancy certificate. You are intelligent, worthy, and capable, even if your school isn't a household name.

The next time someone asks where you’re going to college, just remember: your answer doesn't define your future. You do.