What Your Grades Really Mean | Eva Ren | TEDxEdenHighSchool

High school students are taught to believe in the importance of getting good grades while they often question the value of what they are learning. Eva Ren, a Grade 12 student has overcome her own academic struggles to become a top student and leader. Her questions and recommendations will ignite discussion between educators and students about the value of grades and the message they send.

Throughout high school, I became a strong advocate for student voice in my school and community. Believing youth can make a difference and with the purpose of striving for better education, I became involved with the Federation of Canadian Secondary Students, a youth-led non-profit and now I'm part of its National Leadership Team. I take pride in making a positive difference as District School Board of Niagara Student Senator, and on the St. Catharines Youth Council. I was so excited and honoured to speak at TEDxEdenHighSchool. When I am not busy with schoolwork and extracurriculars, I like to exercise, journal and play Chopin on the piano. I also value spending time with family and my closest friends. Lately, I have developed a passion for portrait and street photography. In the future, I will be majoring in business with a minor in international relations at McGill University. One of my biggest dreams is to work with the United Nations.

[oliviasmith]

My history teacher last year taught me more than any other teacher ever has. I learned more and enjoyed learning in that class. Why? He gave every one an A as long as they were learning. He got fired for it.

[fnafventnoise]

I struggled in math this year so badly, I got a 1/30 on a test, I actually cried in class because I was so scared I would have to retake the class, even tutoring didn't help because my failure came from really bad testing anxiety. The education system sucks it actually does because I always come home feeling like I'm a failure because of my grades,

[Al_a]

I wish more people and parents understood this.

[williamhui]

My friend has great marks but really has no idea about what she’s learning

[wolfsydproductions]

My parents and teachers always tell me "You're such a smart girl! Why aren't you getting good grades?!? Stop being so lazy!!". Well it's not me being lazy! Maybe if they just asked me what's wrong and tried to help me I'd be able to get good grades! Maybe they should just stop for a second and see what's really going on! Maybe they would see why I act the way I do. Why I am the way I am. Maybe they'd see that I'm struggling. Maybe they'd notice how I question my sanity everyday. Maybe they'd realize my disorders make it so hard. Maybe they'd see how these failed changing me. For the worse.

[faithspam]

y’all are really out here stressed about a 70%. I got an 18% on my math test the other day and my teacher emailed my mother asking if I was slow.

[BangMaster]

What your grade means, literally nothing, it only means you are good at the tests that Schools want you to be good at,
not things that you will need to be good at in life

[rushopolis]

I failed chemistry even though I understood the subject better than everyone else in the class.

[mochi]

People look at your grades, not your struggles behind getting it

[clairefredrickson]

School doesn’t test your intelligence, it tests you memory.

[enicholsfranklinuniversity]

I'm an A student but let me tell you. I literally don't study. I don't get a lot of things right. It's not the end of all. Trust me, bad grades don't define who you are. Numbers don't make up for your uniqueness

[solangecharlestt]

apparently the main reason why a lot of students "learn" is to receive a good grade. there is too much emphasis on grades than the actual content and the use of it outside school. i have learnt that grades aren't bad BUT many students don't actually and truly know what they are learning.

[andrrmo]

Aye, I went to school with her, she graduated last year

[olivial]

This honestly made me cry. It was exactly what I needed to hear.

[neelamgupta]

What my parents and teachers tell me when I get low grades in an exam is " Did u understand the concepts taught ?? " And when I tell them I did they are always telling me why I do not get good grades. Why is that each of us is so obsessed with the grades u get why not see what is problem they are facing. It becomes so unbearable sometimes that we feel that grades are the end of the world for students. Why not see their potential and the toil they are putting in ??

[lesliesalas]

This is so true. I personally LOVE learning but grades always discourage me. Also not being able to take classes you wish is a shame because you never know how much you would’ve been able to learn it could’ve been a passion gone undiscovered. I feel like some schools don’t offer students enough options to explore what they’d like I acknowledge that there’s clubs but it’s not quite the same especially if those clubs are only once a week. I really wish I had more opportunities to explore things I feel would help me and I know college offers more opportunities but if we could start from a younger age exploring new possibilities rather than only focusing on grades or what colleges think looks good than maybe we’d learn more and not be so afraid if things don’t go as planned because some things change you begin to learn what you enjoy and don’t sadly to say you often learn it later in life as you were never given the chance to explore. (I’m sorry if this doesn’t make sense)

[faeriescottage]

as i’m failing two classes right now i understand this so much

[chillaxinfool]

Hs hella change me...I went from being hella happy, out going, and being like a sponge wanna absorb all I learn to being laid back and not wanna being in school...I even think I was actually smater in elementary than hs, not academically tho, but like in general and overall I'm pretty sure I was smarter in elementary...

[vidsbyjane]

Right on, I'm a straight A student at almost every subject except math. I hate math but science interests me. I once remember having a panic attack during a math test, I didn't study the night before and ended up having a low score. But in the science subject I feel like I'm so eager to learn.

[aryehlitt]

This is incredible. Many teachers that I know just try to make sure you know the information, but don't care if you enjoy it or not.