17 Things More Important in Your Life Than a 4.0 GPA | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

17 Things More Important in Your Life Than a 4.0 GPA

Because Achieving Perfection is Overrated & You Are More Than a Number

153
17 Things More Important in Your Life Than a 4.0 GPA
Vanderbilt Magazine

With all the world has to offer, sometimes we lose sight of what really matters. While education is a pillar of our society and extremely valuable, the unattainable standard for perfection can tear at us all. In the long run what is a 4.0 going to do for you? There's a list of hundreds of other traits just as worthwhile as achieving the exemplary student status.

1. Intellectual Curiosity

Question everything around you. Research. Explore; but not always in the textbook sense. Let your mind guide you through an individualized curriculum, whether it be interest in politics, music, science, etc. Never kill your curiosity, it is one of education's greatest gifts.

2. Pursuing Something That You're Passionate About

We are sent through years of schooling to help us decide a lifelong profession yet we are rarely given the opportunity to dive into our interests. Even if you don't know your passion or have one yet you should be able to have more liberty to discover what you like. Take classes, join a team, sign up for a program, read or write a book, become a photographer. If it makes you happy, run with it and never look back.

3. Traveling

Traveling does not entail packing up your bags and taking the next flight to India. Road trips can be just as successful. Make a list of places you'd like to see and why. The United States is full of national parks, beaches, cities and culture. Immerse yourself in everything the world has to offer. Learn outside of the classroom. Take photographs, write, play and explore.

4. Building Relationships

In the long run your friends, significant others, mentors and colleagues are going to shape who you are as a person and often stick around for quite awhile. Learn how to build meaningful relationships with them; to care, listen, surprise and bond with those around you. In the "real world" connections will be one of your handiest assets.

5. Family

Family never gets left behind. I'm not sure that I can emphasize enough how important some sort of family is, whether they are blood related or not. Everyone needs a safe haven, a community that they can rely on and that will support them. Never take these people for granted, they love you dearly.

6. Building Character

"Intelligence plus character- that is the true goal of education." (Martin Luther King Jr.) Character is who you are when nobody is watching: are you honest? loyal? accepting? Become someone that you are proud of, not just a product of the public school system.

7. Having People Skills

It may sound easy but learning how to both talk to people and listen are crucial. No one is going to want to work with an asshole; be a team player, communicate, compromise and choose your battles. In most careers you are going to be working day-to-day with people, so it is important to know how to handle them.

8. How to Respect Others & Yourself

"Respect for ourselves guides our morals, respect for others guides our manners." (Laurence Sterne) Whether it's your teachers, parents, peers or even yourself respect is a valuable characteristic. Learning to appreciate one another, their values and what they have to say, is crucial at all ages.

9. Trying + Failing

Let's face it, anyone that has success handed to them their entire life will never be successful. Failing a math test or sucking at a history project points you in the direction of improvement. The will to try new things often comes with potential failure, but in the end it is the effort you put in that matters more than the outcome.

10. Being Worldly & Updated on Current Events

Please take your nose out of the textbook and check the news every once in awhile. There are millions of people around you, and their lives matter. While it is important to have a grasp on standard education, current events shape our future. These events help shape your sympathies, views and morals. Who are we and what do we believe in?

11. Community Service

No one is above giving back. There is a Jewish proverb "tikkun olam" which translates to repair the world. It is our duty as citizens of the world to help it grow and prosper which will in turn help us. Whether you put in a few hours a week or once a month, it's important to serve your community.

12. Extracurricular Activities

We live in a world where the 4.0 isn't enough good enough. Colleges are looking for club leaders, team captains, passionate artists, young entrepreneurs and innovative thinkers. Extracurriculars give people a glimpse at who you are outside of the classroom and what you like. It is an opportunity to tailor your afternoons or weekends to your interests.

13. Learning How to Be Creative/Embracing Your Creativity

Creativity is more than a painting in art class. Often creativity is associated solely with the humanities, filed under clichés such as "thinking out of the box," however in professions such as business, marketing, architecture, law, etc. all employ original, critical thinking. Invest some time in figuring out where your creative ideas or thoughts are stored, and start raising your voice so people can hear them.

14. Achieving Open-mindedness

Now more than ever learning to be tolerant, optimistic, understanding and accepting is important. The world is becoming increasingly diverse and presenting thousands of progressive ideas, listen to them. Although you will not always agree with them, open-mindedness is the first step to peaceful relations. Go into everything you do without prejudgement.

15. Faith

Faith extends beyond religion. You can believe in people, establishments, movements or even yourself. "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the full staircase." (Martin Luther King Jr.)

16. Experience

Live to the fullest extent. See everything you can. Smile and meet people you thought you'd never speak to. Read and research. Be reckless and loud. Try foods or activities that scare you. Let everyday be a challenge and everything that comes at you be an opportunity.

17. Love

Fall in love. Love your friends. Love your family. Practice loving yourself. Take in all universal love has to offer, even if it breaks your heart.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

197099
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

18974
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

460971
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

28357
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments