IS ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE NOT OVERRATED?

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I was moved to make this post by a write-up I saw today on social media. The author hammered on the importance of knowledge and advised it should be sought after more than academic excellence. In addition, he was of the opinion that students should focus more on acquiring other necessary skill more than on academic excellence.

That was not actually my first time of coming across a write-up like that. Many times, we read and hear speeches buttressing the usual point that academic excellence will not determine how far one would go in life. These preachers and speakers cite many examples like Bill gate and Mark Zuckerberg who dropped out of school but are hugely successful today.

The summary of these speeches and opinions is that academic excellence is overrated.

I feel in our contemporary society, we either do not understand what excellence means or we debase the value of academics and by implication education. To start with, excellence should be sought after in everything we do. We should not go into anything hoping to do it halfway or achieve nothing but excellence.

Academic excellence most times is not a function of high intellectual ability. It is an interplay of hardwork, intellect and discipline. Most people who excel in their academics do not always have higher intelligent quotient compared with their contemporaries. They are dedicated and hardworking. They master important principles of success such as time management, perseverance, honesty and the rest. It is something the greater majority cannot do!

I am a big fan of excellence; not just in academics alone but in every area of our lives. I celebrate people who excel in politics/leadership, academics, career, etc. Why? They possess qualities many of us do not possess. I celebrate who they have come to be. I celebrate their decision and effort to stand out. I celebrate the days, weeks, months and years they deprive themselves of pleasures just to achieve their aim; something I and many others cannot do.

I admit that best grades cannot make you to become more successful. I admit that they do not define your future. Those are not in dispute. I however agree that excellence might give you an edge and position you for better and greater task ahead.

I watched a commentary sometime ago on why some top firms look for those with outstanding academic performance. A director of one of those firms answered, "we don't hire them because they can do things others cannot do. We do so because we believe they have the qualities we need. Excellence comes with a lot of price. For them to pay the price, they must have learnt to rein on distractions and master the art of goal achievement. Tell me what else a firm wants?"

Academic excellence for me is not overrated, it is actually underrated. We may not be able to achieve it and it does not make us less smart or talented, it however should not be talked down. We should celebrate those who achieve it. Same way we should celebrate those who excel in other areas of life.

Whatever is worth doing, is worth doing well.

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I am @winningman