As defined by Dictionary.com, shaming is to publicly humiliate someone for being or doing something specified. Instead of body shaming or slut shaming, let’s have a little talk about something that doesn’t make the news or social media posts quite as often: grade shaming.

So maybe you didn’t really get the grade you were hoping for…

…But you tried your best, honestly. It happens to everyone somewhere along the course of schooling. You can’t be great at everything all the time (trust me, I’ve tried it). But the good news is, that bad grade isn’t the end of the world. It certainly won’t follow you around the rest of your life. Chances are it won’t even ruin the rest of your year. So take it in stride. If nothing else, getting a bad grade on that rare occasion makes you appreciate getting the good ones even more.

…And this is your fourth failed test in a row. You haven’t done as well since your parents got a divorce. Or since your significant other broke up with you. Or since that special person passed away. Or because you hate school this year. Things just don’t matter. It can happen. It does happen. Sometimes, a mental health day is a good solution (not that I encourage skipping school, by any means). But, you aren’t doing yourself any good by throwing a day away sulking through class instead of working on being a better you. Learn from your mistakes. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help.

So you absolutely killed it, in the best sense of the phrase…

…And you dedicated every ounce of energy you had to getting that grade. Congratulations. You did it. And it feels pretty darn good, right? Enjoy it. Motivate yourself to do it again. And again. And don’t give up if you slip up once in a while. You’re only human. So celebrate the wins and learn from the losses.

…But the whole school thing comes kind of easy to you. Good grades tend to be devalued. You never were the kid to get paid for a good report card. In fact, it was expected of you. Just because things come easy, doesn’t mean it’s like that all the time. But your friends might not get that. They don’t get how you could possibly complain about studying, even though it’s perfectly normal for them to whine about it.

Bottom line? No one has the right to make someone else feel crappy about getting bad grades. When you get that bad grade, you should be able to talk about it with someone. You should be able to go through what you did wrong.

Be able to stress over it, analyze and over-analyze it, cry about it, and do whatever else you need to do to get past it without worrying about a snicker from the person sitting next to you in class or getting yelled at by your parents when (or if) they find out.

And guess what? No one has the right to make someone else feel crappy for getting good grades either. When you see that 4.0 for first semester grade, you should be able to happy-cry tears of relief. You shouldn't feel guilty. You should be able to celebrate that test you aced. You should be able to tell all your friends, not just your parents. And if you want to eat a whole pint of Ben & Jerry’s because you did so well, then do it. You deserve it.

Some people say that grades are something personal, not to be publicized. Some even think that class ranks shouldn’t be given. But, it if the world just looked at grades as mile markers measuring progress instead of defining character traits, then maybe those people would feel differently. So continue to talk about your grades. They’re part of who you are and are absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, for better or for worse

But, it if the world just looked at grades as mile markers measuring progress instead of defining character traits, then maybe those people would feel differently. So continue to talk about your grades. They’re part of who you are and are absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, for better or for worse.