If you’ve ever copied homework just to “get the points,” you’ve put your grade before your education. This is the way many students work, and it needs to change.
Everyday, students search for shortcuts and take the easy way out when it comes to school. Sadly, tactics like cheating on tests, copying homework, and skipping class have become increasingly common at ETHS. The assignments that weren’t turned in and the ones that were copied are “made up for” with tissue boxes for extra credit. Thus, the true meaning of learning is lost.
There’s a vicious cycle of laziness in the school environment. It starts with not paying attention and playing on your phone during class. The information you’re supposed to have learned is still unclear to you, so you text a friend, “Hey, can you send me tonight’s homework?” You start doing this every night, because there’s no reason to do work when you know someone else will do it for you. You realize you are in trouble when the unit test comes along, but you just cheat off of the kid sitting next to you. You “earn” your B+ both quarters and you’re feeling good to go, but the final is what really screws you over.
It’s hard to resist these easy ways to get by, but the stress that comes before the final is much more deadly than any of the stress that actual learning would’ve brought. Cramming doesn’t work; you don’t even need statistics to prove this when any student can tell you so. School isn’t hard; you’re just doing it wrong.
There’s a simple solution for all of your grade-related problems: try your best. Turn your phone off and actually learn something new today. Do your homework; the questions you’re being asked will be identical to the ones on the test. Do what your teachers ask of you, and you might actually pass the final this time.
High school is a time for people to find themselves. Maybe today in history class you’ll realize you want to study Korean architecture in college because of something your teacher mentioned.
By putting your grades before learning, you’re valuing the destination more than the journey. Get to your A, but the right way.