Academic excellence is not the only criteria of success

As students now confront the results of their final exams and prepare for the next steps in their academic career, many are left crestfallen as they may not have got into the institution or course of their choice. Often, this is because they have not performed well in the entry level exams or interviews.

Low academic performance can lead to depression, low self-esteem and poor mental health.

However, it is important to realise that academic excellence is no longer the only criteria of success. As our world changes and youngsters opt for a diverse variety of careers, that one final mark or grade is not the only determinant.

Educational institutions can, at best, provide book knowledge, with a sprinkle of practical experience if a student is lucky enough to go through a school that provides experiential education. Internships are the first time when students confront the real world.

As has often been pointed out, the template for the internet was not written in a book but was a product of constant trial and error, just like the succeeding innovations of social media. Education teaches existing knowledge – it takes creativity and innovation to build something new.

In spite of the number of challenges facing today’s world, it is also one of infinite possibilities. There is virtually no hobby than cannot be turned into a career or a business. From designing to creating digital applications, there is room for every passion and every hobby. There are also intersecting areas between academics and passion such as sports management which combines the love for sports with the discipline of marketing and management.

There is no denying the intense competition for coveted colleges and select jobs. What is important is to realise that being left out of any of this does not equal failure. There are endless opportunities for the taking.

Of course, there is no short cut to success. Whatever passion guides a person, it has to be combined with dedication, hard work and relentless effort. It is never enough to be just interested. But in an environment where both worlds – the one with traditional careers and the other with unexplored possibilities exist together, it is important for parents and teachers to inform and encourage youngsters to understand the number of possibilities that exist around them.

It is often said, ‘do what you love, or you will be forced to love what you do’. The latter is surely not the preferred option for anyone.

In fact, most people do not even love what they do, introducing an endless circle of misery and frustration.

At the end of the day, success is gauged, not by society, but by oneself. Following a chosen path, sticking to it in spite of challenges that are sure to come, and defining success in one’s own terms will all lead to a more fulfilling life.

Academic success is merely a number, a letter grade, or a short report. It does not have significance beyond the first days of university. The real world awaits to be explored and it is one of infinite possibilities.