Marks Don’t Matter, Focus on Consistency and ‘True’ Learning

Scoring high might help you to get into your desired school or college but doesn’t guarantee success.

(Photo: Arnica Kala/The Quint)

It’s that time of the year. Examinations and stress abound. It’s absolutely normal for students who are appearing for their boards. We may cherish it or detest it, but its a phase of our lives we must go through. One is never able to forget the day they appeared for the Board exams, anxiety coursing through their veins.

Students would be hearing two sentences now on: ‘how much marks did you get?’ And, ‘marks don’t matter’.

It is absurd to hear the second, as marks do matter – however only for a short span of time. Because these marks just measure how well the teachers have been able to teach us English, Science, or Maths. In school, they hardly try to cultivate our talents or foster our self-actualisation. We tend to give so much importance to these marks as if our life depends on it.

Scoring high might help you to get into your desired school or college but they never guarantee you consistency of good marks, and importantly success.

The key ingredients to success are true learning, knowledge, devotion, consistency and hard work. 

Sachin Tendulkar, Akshay Kumar, Azim Premji, Bill Gates are examples who have proved that hard work paves the way for success, marks are mere speed breakers on the way to your destination. They might slow you down for a moment but cannot stop you.

Here’s My Story

After getting a perfect 10 CGPA in Class 10, I was beaming with confidence. I never realised when it turned into overconfidence. As a result, I messed up my Class 12 Boards exams. I was shattered.

My mind was not willing to accept that set-back and my heart was pierced. I would never have been able to gather myself together if it hadn’t been for my family who stood by me, especially my father.

I forgot my real potential, but was reminded of it by family and friends. My father told me, “I know and I believe in your potential, I just want you to believe in yourself too.”

That moment on, nothing has been able to even shake my confidence.

Sometimes these jolts are required in our lives to remind us to never take anything for granted. My marks did the same thing for me and made me realise the importance of knowledge over mugging up.

I am currently pursuing a degree in BBA from a college that I didn’t dream about, but I am giving my absolute devotion to whatever it is I do. I believe I have potential to learn anything and everything. So can you.

Of course, studying is important, but to learn. Focus on that and rest will be taken care of. All the Best!