Let’s Talk About Academic Validation
As most of us are now back into the groove of school, this is a great opportunity to talk about one of the most draining issues students face in today’s world. With my attempt to do some research about the topic of “academic validation” to provide some information in this blog piece… I was kind of unsuccessful. I was unable to find trustworthy sources or news articles that provided me with the information I needed and was able to use it for an evidence-based piece. So, here goes a piece written based on my own personal experiences, what I’ve witnessed, and the advice I have for you all struggling with the same thing I am every day.
What is Academic Validation?
According to UrbanDictionary.com, the meaning of this normalized term is the feeling of achievement or being appreciated when receiving praise in school for getting good marks, or being a well-rounded academic student. While it can be a good source of motivation, in the long run, when too reliant on it, can become a problem for a student’s mental health and self-esteem.
How does it affect us?
In one way or another, we’ve been told that our marks don’t matter. That it doesn’t define us. Well if this is the case, why do students still rely on their marks to feel self-worth and identity?
This question brings me to my favourite Modern Family episode — Season 5, Episode 12 titled, Under Pressure. In this episode, the show shines a light on Alex Dunphy, the smart one. Alex’s character is portrayed as the “nerd”, the “black sheep” of her average family, and due to the great dedication to her studies — as compared to her sister’s and brother’s — other characters seem to think she’s more uptight, too serious, critical etc. While in process of studying for the SATs, Alex has a meltdown in front of her family, and as the self-efficient character that she is — personally booked a session with a therapist. With her therapist, she shares that the pressure to succeed isn’t just an internal feeling — that externally speaking, “..once you start overachieving, people expect things from you…the world, teachers, parents, other kids. It’s not all internal.” I’m sure many of us feel the same way. Once we’ve reached a level of expectation from others, it can be hard to accept not being able to reach it sometimes or if it proves to be too much. Because at the end of the day, we all want others to feel proud of our efforts of reaching those goals and be held at a “high regard” with those same expectations. The obsession with reaching those expectations is what leads to academic validation. The feeling that our academic achievements are the only things people see and recognize about us, and because we want to be seen, celebrated, praised, or even loved, we depend on our good grades and academic record to get us these feelings.
How can we move away from academic validation?
As someone who isn’t a professional expert, in my opinion, academic validation may never go away. What can be changed, however, is the extent of our academic validation and stopping it from turning into anything further than a friendly motivation for us to perform well in school. Personally, academic validation should be rid of in reasons for self-worth, feeling loved by others, and one’s whole identity. Just like Alex Dunphy’s character, she’s seen just as the smart one. But, there is so much more to her. She’s also shy, a singer, an environmentalist, and so much more. The other aspects that make us who we are often get overlooked with the achievement of our academics, and it’s time we give these other characteristics a time under the spotlight.
In addition, as cliché as it sounds, separating the grade from the person is key to not letting a letter or a percentage define someone’s worth for love, appreciation, or feeling of confidence. A bad grade is kind of inevitable. From someone who’s failed KUMON tests, received bad test grades and spent the weekend hiding in her room to cope…I’m still here. I still show up to school every day. I’m still trying my best. These mistakes and hiccups in our academic career show that we’re every bit human in one aspect as another, and if we can allow ourselves to make mistakes in other areas of our lives, why can’t we give that same capacity in an academic setting?
What’s important
No matter how important grades are for parents, yourself, your school, university admissions officers, that job you want etc. Your mind and your body come first. Your feeling of self-worth, confidence, and being loved by others and yourself despite the letters/numbers on your report card are more important. After ninth grade, I discovered my unhealthy relationship with school and started to work on creating a better one where my dependence on academics became less and less. I was able to achieve this through participating in non-academic activities/clubs, and allowing myself to feel okay after a bad grade on a test — that next time, I will do better. Now, I can safely say that though my academic validation isn’t fully gone, it has definitely been suppressed to just a healthy motivator by my self-confidence.
About the Author
Jenny Pham is a grade 12 student based in the small but large city of Mississauga, Ontario. She currently works as a math & English tutor; is a dedicated President to her school’s MEDLIFE Club, a Chapter of the MEDLIFE Movement non-profit; and an avid reader. Like many others around her, she’s a second-generation immigrant struggling with self-identity apart from her dedication to academics, and finding her own way around expectations from herself and the world. She’s passionate about using her voice and is hoping to inspire or resonate with others through her writing by shining a light on undermined issues.
Sources:
urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=academic%20validation
