<p>Yes and no maybe the girl wasn’t trying to rub it in others’ faces but it was perceived as rubbing in faces. Maybe she has self-esteme issues and is trying to make herself feel confindent. Like MW2isawesome said you are probably just jealous of the girl and felt like making yourself feel better by complaining about her and hoping others with sympathize with you. littlepenguin, Maybe you weren’t working as ahard as you thought you were and there is a big difference between ivy leagues and second tier schools. They have a brand name.</p>
<p>@littlepenguin </p>
<p>Sounds like you work hard for the wrong reasons.</p>
<p>^ My point is that the brand name doesn’t affect what I want to do in the future as much as most people think it might. Just to clarify, what do you mean by “maybe you weren’t working as hard as you thought you were”? But if you mean what MW2 said, then I agree. That being said, MW2, what would you consider the right reasons?</p>
<p>“Nobody really cares if you’re miserable, so you might as well be happy.” --Cynthia Nelms</p>
<p>That said, I think whining about grades is a waste of time.</p>
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<p>It really depends on the individual. I, for example, have always wanted to be a doctor. I love science and being on the cutting edge on technology just as much as I love the feeling of helping people. I work my ass off but I love it. I work, not only to make my dream a reality, but also to challenge myself and learn all that I can about anything that I can.</p>
<p>On the other hand, one of my friends that graduated from high school a few years back was really interested in math. He did well enough in his other subjects but math was his passion. He became nationally recognized in it in various competitions. When he took his SAT he got something like a 2000 (with 800 math obviously). Despite this he ended up getting into every college he applied to (Stanford, MIT, Duke, etc.) but ended up choosing a really small school in California with a strong math department that you’ve probably never heard of. He didn’t care about prestige, only about what was a good fit for him.</p>
<p>Getting into an Ivy League school (or in my case Duke which is basically Ivy caliber) should be seen as more of a bonus, the proverbial nod of the head from Life, if you will. The journey isn’t over when you get to college so it is insensical to have it be your ultimatum. If the only reason you try hard in school is to get into an Ivy you are glorifying college to a point where it will be impossible for it to meet your expectations; if you stay on this path you will be even more unhappy when you get there.</p>
<p>If you’re not enjoying your current life, then switch it up. Get some B’s, I would imagine that that would be freeing. Find out what you want to do with your life and then do it. It may or may not entail success in school. If you’ll indulge another anecdote, my father had about a 3.0 GPA in high school and an abysmal SAT score. He went to a state school, met people, and enjoyed his life. He didn’t care about other people’s standards. Now he makes more $$ than most specialized doctors. </p>
<p>College isn’t the end all be all. Far from it. On a side note you’ll probably have a much easier time if you are enjoying your life when trying to get into/a job/college/grad school/etc. because it will show in your personality. I mean who wants to hire/recruit a bitter, miserable person?</p>
<p>I’m sorry, everyone! I was quite stressed last week, and I made that post to confirm OP’s point that grades are not the way to happiness and success.</p>
<p>MIT - I agree with everything you’ve said. As much as I wish I could branch off into something that interests me, there is too much pressure at home for me to do well in school and get into a college (this doesn’t necessarily mean an Ivy, but those are certainly in my reach range). I know where my interests lie, but I still have to do well in all other subjects in order to get into a decent college that will allow me to financially support myself in the future. That’s the part that frustrates me.</p>
<p>Overachievers are fine, as long as they don’t brag about their achievements 24/7. I have this friend, who I’m really good friends with, but I don’t think she realizes that she’s cocky and intentionally brags about her grades ALLTHEFREAKIN’TIME. I get annoyed, but I still try to support and act happy for her (somewhat - there are points where the happiness just completely ends since she’ll just continue for several minutes …). Today for instance, not lying, for 20 minutes straight she would talk about her awesome day telling me over and over again about how nice it was. All she talks about is herself. She would flaunt her 105 labs and her 100 research papers and spread out her tests all across the table for my eyes to see. She calls “bombing” a test a grade under 95 and that just ****es me off … I would take that 95 anyday. She mentioned that she’s #1 in a certain class 5 times. I get it by now. You’re brilliant. Whoop-de-doo, have a cookie. She knows I get lower grades than her and she just continues, rambling on and on about how smart she is. I try so hard in this certain class, and the outcome never reflects the hours I spend staying up at night, the notes I take, the effort I try and put into the coursework …I can’t handle it anymore. I like her as a friend, but there are moments when I just want her to stop talking.</p>
<p>Okay, end rant. Sorry, had to get that off my chest.</p>
<p>I was constantly accused of arrogance in high school. What exactly did I do/say that was so arrogant? Nothing. Jealousy is a terrible thing, and it explains why any successful person will gain plenty of enemies.</p>
<p>It’s not really a problem since only like 30 kids can rub things in my face. ( Super smart asians/jews)</p>
<p>So, most of the time, i don’t get stuff rubbed in my face because my grades are usually on par with the smart kids.</p>
<p>—Just for clarification. I’m not an over-achiever, i just do what i love and work hard. Blood, sweat, and tears.</p>
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<p>Greatness inspires envy, envy engenders spite, spite spawns lies. This is the way of the world.</p>
<p>^Or perhaps you were truly arrogant. 'Tis human nature to be proud of one’s accomplishments, but showing that off (even if was subconcious) is not frequently accepted. Just a thought.</p>
<p>I stopped caring about those types of people since those types of people aren’t particularly liked. One girl I know is probably the hardest working person I know (especially on projects, GODDAMN her projects are amazing), yet she’s intensely creative and nice, as well as social (but who cares about social lives on COLLEGE CONFIDENTIAL cough cough). I don’t think I’ve met arrogant overachievers, though the overachievers tend to overestimate themselves so then they just try harder next time.</p>
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<p>Do I detect Harry Potter in this?</p>
<p>^ Couldn’t resist.</p>
<p>I think at least a small degree of arrogance or excessive modesty is often what classifies an overachiever in my eyes (versus a “hard worker”). I don’t know anyone that I particularly hate just because they “overachieve,” though I know some of my friends do strongly dislike them; personally, if they want to overachieve, it’s their business, and if they’re going to talk about school all the time, I’ll talk to someone else… I wouldn’t say I’m the ultimate slacker, but my motto is basically when you’re dead, who cares that you won 50 awards and joined 60 clubs? </p>
<p>That being said, I will remember whether I go to college.</p>
<p>The Hard Worker is someone who works for self-improvement. This is the person that strives to get an A on the test and be the number one player on the team. The Overachiever is the one who works hard in order to flaunt his or her achievements. This is the person who nitpicks at everything and seeks validation through countless but trivial awards and recognitions.</p>