Do grades really determine how successful you will be?

[Operate]

And so here I am, on my senior year of Highschool. I've never really had good grades, averaging about a B in all subjects (exceptions like art, physical education etc I get an A)

I've been told numerous times by my parents that good grades are key to being successful, but to me I see no connection between the two. Sure we need them for basic knowledge to go through life without being fooled, but do we honestly need the information we learn in pre calculus and be able to apply it in real life?

My question to you all is, do grades really determine how successful you will be in the future? I know that in college, once you've picked out a course you'd need to get good grades in that class because you will be supposedly working with it your entire life, but how about the things we are learning now in Highschool? Thanks

 

[RS_Crispy]

You do need the grades to get into college, that goes without saying. I'm English so I'm not too sure what the Job Market is like in the USA, but, over here unfortunately grades are very important, but it's not the be all and end all. Companies to like to look at your grades but also past experience before giving you an interview. B's are not bad at all, very good in fact, don't put yourself down bud!

 

[S]

Your grades at current are quite good anyway. B's and A's generally equate to an enter score of 80+, which is not bad at all.

Once you finish highschool, and get into University, your highschool grades are irrelevant. Unless you were in the top 0.0001% of all highschool grades in your country/won a bunch of awards pertaining to your highschool grades, employers wont care - your final University degree and University grades will matter. Employers don't always ask for your University transcripts, but it's always better to perform well.

 

[Operate]

Thanks rs crispy and sellerman! Yeah but my parents tell me that if I don't get A's and B+ average I would always be a follower so to speak lol

 

[RS_Crispy]

Again, this is England, but - In school I was really fucking cleaver, not to come across big headed, but I was. Unfortunatly I chose to piss about in class and have fun at school, I'd had enough of the procedure and chose to go against further education, I left school and got a job. At 16 I was earning around £20k a year working in a herbal medicine factory, making it for the whole world. I was predicted A*'s in everything in school (I don't know what that is in the States, but it's the highest you can get over here) and walked away with 12 GCSE's at B's and A's, but no A*'s! I now manage a sports betting shop and bring home very good money at 20. Grades are not everything, but they can make a difference. I've done well for myself with good-average grades, it would have been a whole lot easier with better grades/further education!

 

[Swan]

Sure we need them for basic knowledge to go through life without being fooled, but do we honestly need the information we learn in pre calculus and be able to apply it in real life?

Calculus is a fundamental branch of mathematics in my opinion. It more often that not isn't simple, but its applications are staggeringly important and if you understand it I find your approach to solving some sorts of real-world problems can change as well.

Highschool in this regard is more about teaching you method than application. Don't downplay it just because you can't see how to apply it yet.

My question to you all is, do grades really determine how successful you will be in the future? I know that in college, once you've picked out a course you'd need to get good grades in that class because you will be supposedly working with it your entire life, but how about the things we are learning now in Highschool? Thanks

Grades are more regarded for university than highschool as a measure of success, but fresh graduates entering university will find it far easier if they have a history of high achievement in my experience.

Rather than GRADES per se, I would suggest highschool is better for teaching you, again, methodology and work ethic. It goes on to say that those with good grades are either natural learners or those who prove to have a good work ethic toward their studies, and I consider either a priceless trait to have.

Employers are looking more for experience than grades if truth be told, however high grades can also be considered representative of diligence, proficiency and work ethic. They could be the one dividing line between getting a job or having it given to someone else. They aren't the be all and end all of success, but they can definitely be a significant part of it.

 

[Operate]

Again, this is England, but - In school I was really fucking cleaver, not to come across big headed, but I was. Unfortunatly I chose to piss about in class and have fun at school, I'd had enough of the procedure and chose to go against further education, I left school and got a job. At 16 I was earning around £20k a year working in a herbal medicine factory, making it for the whole world. I was predicted A*'s in everything in school (I don't know what that is in the States, but it's the highest you can get over here) and walked away with 12 GCSE's at B's and A's, but no A*'s! I now manage a sports betting shop and bring home very good money at 20. Grades are not everything, but they can make a difference. I've done well for myself with good-average grades, it would have been a whole lot easier with better grades/further education!

Alright thanks man. I don't live in the United States either, appreciate the response

 

They will make you look better on your resume = better chance of getting a good job higher up.

Most qualifications don't make you do the job better, probably. But, if like me, you enjoy your courses and are enthused to learn - then yes it'll probably benefit your life more than others who just do it to get the job.

 

[Stickly]

Okay, well let's see.

Grades do not determine how successful you will be. They may be useful in getting into colleges/applications, but they are not the sole thing to success, at all. School isn't a large thing, really. There are plenty of ways to become successful, but having a high GPA just helps. Really, you're college grades are what matters so much compared to high school, even then though, you don't need to be a "master" of college to become successful.

Also, your grades as they are, are fairly high. You don't need to be a straight A student. B's is fine.

 

[Azie]

In the UK, when you start GCSE's that's when grades start getting important in terms of future options. People forget that as new generations come through that competition for getting jobs rises especially in the current economical conditions. Example education now is more important than it was 20 years ago. I guess it's not the only thing that determines how successful you will be but I think that it has a big impact on your future.

 

[Loyal 2 da game]

grades don't really mean much in terms of success later in life, but work ethic does. there's a big correlation in highschool between good grades and having a strong work ethic. of course there are kids who can breeze through with an absolute minimum effort input that still have fantastic grade output, but you'll almost never see someone who goes above and beyond the required effort get sub-satisfactory grades. the way i see it, a strong work ethic is 100% one of the ingredients to success, so better to develop one in highschool before you enter uni/the real world and get your ass kicked by reality.

 

[Rsaccounttrader]

Just a pointer...you should consider how you want to live your life. While pursuing the preconception of a "successful" life (usually obtaining money, sex, power and producing children) can certainly lead to happiness, there are also other paths to take.
Having good grades helps you advance academically, and graduating from a top college (or grad program) helps you be competitive for the "top" jobs

 

[Xenophis]

Honestly. It never hurts your chances at success with top percentile grades.

But then again, there are plenty of jobs out there that rely on skills built over years of development with real world interaction rather than studying in a classroom viewing the world through textbooks. As stated above, there are many paths that one can take in life and call it success.

 

[l0llyp0pst3r]

Grades are important as a backup but i really feel passion and interest will get you far. But ofc grades are important and are needed

 

[i noob killer i]

You do need the grades to get into college, that goes without saying. I'm English so I'm not too sure what the Job Market is like in the USA, but, over here unfortunately grades are very important, but it's not the be all and end all. Companies to like to look at your grades but also past experience before giving you an interview. B's are not bad at all, very good in fact, don't put yourself down bud!

Completely not true. I left school with bad grades and had to work hard to get decent ones afterwards. This was no reflection on my intelligence but the fact I was more interested in being a idiot. I ended up with A levels in social work from college and had a place at university.

I honest believe if you are willing to work at something and educate yourself if you need to then anyone can make themselves intelligent.

 

[Zimmerman]

ofcourse they are, in the UK anyway. they allow you to progress and open more doors. You can't say someone who goes onto University will do worse that someone who didn't finish highschool. (except in incredibly rare circumstances)

 

[TJOC]

School is was overrated. There's millionaires without high school diplomas.

However, schooling helps with everything being easier. Sets a good foundation for everything to come.

 

[RS_Crispy]

Completely not true. I left school with bad grades and had to work hard to get decent ones afterwards. This was no reflection on my intelligence but the fact I was more interested in being a idiot. I ended up with A levels in social work from college and had a place at university.

I honest believe if you are willing to work at something and educate yourself if you need to then anyone can make themselves intelligent.

What? In my post I said grades are important. You said you got bad grades, then went and got good grades afterwards (Resits, I assume)?

So you got into University because of your newly obtained grades, right?

So your grades are important, right?

 

[SmokeHut]

Grades will give you better opportunities to work for someone else, motivation will get you what you want in terms of success.

 

[SprinterMoon]

It doesn't really determine how successful you will be because you never know what will happen in the future.