Content in partnership with KCBS

Learning to Appreciate Myself Among Toxic Competition

The culture of competition driving students to compare scores is toxic.

05.02.22
Learning to Appreciate Myself Among Toxic Competition (Photo: Marvin Meyer/ Unsplash)

After I started taking AP classes, I noticed a weird trend among my classmates — the need to say they’d failed tests — even when that was far from the truth. I didn’t understand why, but I eventually found myself doing the same.

A few weeks ago, I was talking to a friend about test scores — as per usual. He hadn’t scored as well as I did. So despite being proud of my score, I told him I failed, and that the grade didn’t matter.

I guess I was trying to make him feel better about his grade. But that lie hid the countless questions during office hours and my long nights scribbling under a dim lamp. By trying to be kind to my friend, I wasn’t kind to myself; I left the classroom disappointed, and he left dejected.

The thing is, this issue doesn’t just concern me or my circle of friends — it’s a much larger problem than that. The culture of competition driving students to compare scores is toxic. So I’d rather abstain from all of that. And I’ve realized that getting an A has always been a personal experience — that doesn’t have to change. 

Support the Next Generation of Content Creators
Invest in the diverse voices that will shape and lead the future of journalism and art.
donate now
Support the Next Generation of Content Creators
Invest in the diverse voices that will shape and lead the future of journalism and art.
donate now