Ashley Hefner, Photographer and Staff Writer
During my weekly phone calls with my dad, one of our favorite things to talk about is the new ideas and concepts I learned about in my classes. Unfortunately, I do not think most college students feel the same joy talking about their classes as I do. Could this be because of the pressure students put on themselves to get perfect grades rather than enjoy course content?
I have noticed that many students at Stern College for Women, and college students in general, put a huge emphasis on the grade they receive in any given class rather than on the material on their syllabi. The question students often focus on is not, “What are you learning about in school?” but rather, “What was your grade in the class?”
On the Beren campus, there is seldom a class with over 30 students. This gives us the means to engage in meaningful conversations with our brilliant professors. Instead of utilizing this privilege, students ask teachers questions that can be answered by checking Canvas, including: How are you grading this assignment? How many assignments will be given? When is the quiz?
What can’t be answered are questions that arise during important class discussions led by our intelligent professors. We should be utilizing the privilege of being in small classes to gain insights from our professors, which most college students do not get the luxury of.
The amount of people I’ve seen cry in the halls, bathrooms and cafeteria over a ‘bad’ grade is frightening. I understand; I also happen to be one of these people. However, emphasizing getting 93 or above on every single assessment throughout all the years of college is too much pressure to put on oneself. Of course, our marks are important for future success. But to freak out about getting one bad mark is an unreasonable standard to set.
For people reading this and thinking to themselves: I need to graduate with good marks to get a job, to get into a good graduate program, and such, I understand. But the route to achieving a good grade is not by stressing about a number. As one of my favorite teachers explained in class: finding a way to get interested in the course material will lead you to success.
I also struggle with placing unreasonable expectations on myself regarding academics. But, if students at Yeshiva University, myself included, gain a genuine interest in course material rather than focusing on a number, maybe the high marks will also come with a minimal amount of pressure.
When I see someone freaking out over getting a bad grade on an assessment, I ask myself: Are people getting upset over a bad grade simply because it is not what they want or because of what they feel the letter says about them? My hunch is that people get upset because they use grades as an indicator of their self-worth. Getting a B, C or even a D does not mean you are stupid or unworthy, and understanding this can be extremely important for building up self-esteem. We are more than a letter, and receiving a bad grade is not going to impact your entire future. There are many ways to measure intelligence, and academic performance is only one.
Having this confidence in oneself can be extremely difficult to internalize and is something I am also currently working on implementing into my own life. I know the feeling of looking at a grade below an A and being disappointed in myself. However, imagine a life where, rather than receiving a grade and feeling disheartened, you use the evaluation in order to better yourself.
Making mistakes is the best way to learn. No one is perfect, and trying to reach perfection in any aspect of life is simply unattainable. If anything, mistakes are the path to reaching one’s higher self because internalizing and learning from them allows for growth.
Assessments are intended to show that if you understand the material, you’re learning. People should use class evaluations as a tool to ensure they are gaining knowledge and skills. In turn, the learning achieved by assessments can be utilized in meaningful conversations about course material and the ability to apply it to real-life scenarios.
College grades are only one, tiny part of life. Unless you want your gravestone to say “Got all A’s in college,” spending time agonizing over grades is foolish. Rather than focusing on your academic performance, ask yourself: Is college making me a well-rounded, cultured person? Is it enhancing my critical thinking skills so that I can apply what I have learned to real life and possibly my future job?
Placing unreachable expectations on yourself will always lead to failure. Although this is considered normal in YU, it is nearly impossible to have a social life, be a part of clubs, have an internship and get A’s in all six or seven classes.