Among the great aspirations of a normal high school student, test scores and numbers in general have done nothing but possess absolute control. Whether it be the grade received as a test score in a class, the ACT/ SAT, or an AP exam, we are constantly being controlled by a lifeless number.
Throughout the years, I have spent a great deal of my time aspiring to find the reason why we spend so much of our time confined to numbers. The truth is, our education system is constantly mandating us to get an “A” in a class, a “2000” score on the SAT, or a “5” on an AP exam.
But why? And for what purpose?
Whether it be Harvard University, University of Central Florida, or a small liberal arts college, we are told that our numbers represent us. This is warranted by the fact that if we can pass a test, we can essentially pass “life”, and be labeled smart. However, this logic is inherently flawed and possesses great danger to the face of society throughout the up and coming years.
Anybody can read a book. Anybody can take a test. Anybody can work hard to attain an incredible GPA.
But that is not what it takes to live.
An individual must be able to express intelligence so called “on the street” and be able to make life decisions based off of their principles of morality. One must also be able to be a true leader, and induce nothing but positivity to his/her community. With that being said, test scores are not everything.
You don’t have to get all A’s, have an incredible SAT score, or the most brilliant GPA to be a future world leader. You have to be strong, exhibit intelligence (street, not entirely book smart), and be able to empathize. These qualities define what it means to be a true human being, and I feel we are losing more of these human beings as time progresses.
That being said, success is also not defined by whether or not someone attained a perfect high school or college record. Some individuals don’t even have to go to a college to be successful. The best things happen with great intention.
Let us look to the future to fabricate more individuals who are ready to bring happiness and positivity into the world, than those who want to “Make America Great Again” because he/she got a degree from an Ivy League school.
Let there be light, not numbers controlling whether or not we are good or successful people.