Every time grades come out, it feels like more than just numbers ,it feels personal. For many students, GPA has become something that defines who we are, not just how much we’ve learned. After talking with my journalism teacher, Andrew, and my classmate Matilda Orejuela, I realized how much pressure and judgment come from those few digits on a report card. What used to be about learning new things has turned into competition and fear of not being “good enough.”
I believe the way we focus on grades today is unhealthy and unfair. Instead of helping students grow, grades make us compare, stress, and doubt ourselves. Schools should focus more on effort, curiosity, and learning, not just on numbers and rankings.
Grades now affect how students see their own worth. Andrew Shainker, Journalism teacher said, “You guys in the Columbus School have become absolutely obsessed with this idea of a four… somehow our value is tied to this number when we don’t exactly even understand what this number is.” Matilda Orejuela, 12th grade student also said, “Sometimes I feel like my grades define me.” Both are right ,when we care more about a decimal than real understanding, we lose motivation to actually learn. Grades should guide us, not control how we feel about ourselves.
Grades also create competition instead of collaboration. Orejuela shared, “Most of the pressure comes from me… but I also feel like sometimes from my friends because sometimes it turns into a competition.” Shainker explained that many students “would not work unless they received a number or a threat that that number would be lower.” This shows how the system rewards fear instead of curiosity. Instead of trying to understand the topic, we focus on how to get the perfect score. That pressure turns learning into a race instead of a journey.
Grades don’t even represent what we’re capable of. Shainker mentioned that “maybe we have lost track of the learning and become more focused just on that number.” Orejuela said something similar: “My GPA shows some part of me… but it doesn’t really reflect my creativity, emotions or the things I’ve learned outside.” These words really made me think. A number can’t measure effort, imagination, or personal growth ,all the things that actually matter when we face real life challenges.
Some people say grades motivate students to work harder. Shainker even said, “I have students who would not work unless they received a number.” That may be true, but grades shouldn’t be the only reason we try. Fear of failing doesn’t build passion or curiosity. Real motivation comes when students care about what they’re learning ,not just the reward at the end. Grades might push us for a while, but they don’t inspire us to love learning long-term.
After hearing both Andrew and Matilda, I’ve realized how harmful our obsession with grades has become. GPA doesn’t define our intelligence or our worth, it only shows part of the story. Schools should start rewarding effort, creativity, and improvement, not just numbers. If we change how we see success, maybe students can finally enjoy learning again, without the fear of not being perfect.