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.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@oliviasmith2800]

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.

[@wolfsydproductions9082]

He got fired for being a great teacher?!? The school system really is messed up. That teacher knew what was important yet he got punished. What a terrible world this can be!

[@karinabliss2671]

My science teacher does this! We have lots of assignments, but as long as you pay attention, be respectful, and learn you get a 100%. You dont have to be silent, you dont have to be perfect because you’re still a kid and thats what you are expected to do!

[@crazyraptor9907]

That teacher is a legend

[@brysoncarkido8755]

I am so shocked rn I don’t even know what to say

[@bnsingh326]

Same with my art teacher

[@wolfsydproductions9082]

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 grades.....are changing me. For the worse.

[@maryjl2337]

WolfSyd Productions you explained so well what I'm going through i hope it will become better for both of us (._.) There is just a difference, my teachers don't says that I'm smart lmao they just don't say anything

[@KingVargan]

This is so real, people are always making fun of teenagers for saying “no one understands me” but it’s TRUE

[@echa7101]

Soo... relatable... I FELT THE SAME WAY TBH, IT SUCKS AND TO MAKE IT BETTER MY PARENTS WOULD COMPARE ME TO OTHER CHILDREN WHO HAD BETTER GRADES AND I ALWAYS FELT THAT THEY VALUED GOOD GRADES MORE THAN A NICE BEHAVIOUR IN CLASS

[@terrific2540]

So true

[@rylan642]

I get it completely, but it is your responsibility to speak up. But I agree, teachers should pay more attention to students

[@williamhui6435]

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

[@nyashiamillae]

William hui I can relate so much I don’t even know how I passed last year

[@mariaangelin1518]

me too...I got A in Every subjects ...But I have No Idea

[@clairefredrickson5887]

I ended this year with straight A’s. What did I learn? Absolutely nothing.

[@Mango-bt2gx]

Me too I just know I'm answering the questions right, but I'm bad at math I'm fine with my other subjects

[@bhujgredgjoimnhnvssrbb4902]

OMG those quizes with super easy multiple choice XXXXDDDDDD. WTH IS THIS

[@fnaf2ventnoise330]

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,

[@curvycuddless2352]

me too this is happening

[@wildmoonchild8210]

that sucks man :(

[@karene1267]

I'm really, REALLY sorry that you've experienced this. I am a teacher and my first work with my students is to undo previous "math trauma" and work to build their confidence with trust and building belief in themselves. If we don't do that for our students who struggle, they will shut down, suffer, and be unable to let themselves learn. Check with your teacher (not during class time) about working with you to help overcome test anxiety. There are techniques, "tricks", etc. I wish you the best.

[@brysoncarkido8755]

OMG SAME I barley passed last year with a 60% In math class

[@endlessloops7952]

@@karene1267 I wish you were my math teacher mine knows I'm doing bad but she does nothing about it

[@BangMaster96]

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

[@earlll811]

Sunny shah I disagree, the one thing grades show is you work ethic

[@thebeanienation548]

@@earlll811 not true. I bet you would be more motivated to say. Eat your favorite dish than eat a pile of dog waste. Its all about motivation. And the relevance pf the subject

[@nibbatello3120]

@@earlll811 Nope. People have found ways to get A's in AP classes with cheating and copying.

[@user-zo3wy4we3t]

In the perspective of an 1800s industrialist, "I founded the schools, so that I can justify my system, and yall work for things all I own."

[@low_instinct_]

Earlll!!! That is definitely not true

[@Al_09a]

I wish more people and parents understood this.

[@roseeeyc9851]

Wish****

[@EPITHALON]

Yeah I wish that to

[@bloomer1286]

They never will they will be like oh ScHooL iS sO imPoRtAnt

[@therealmakasi249]

Sammme

[@darajoyce5514]

@@bloomer1286 shahhaah

[@faithspam4824]

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.

[@angievargas3544]

faith spam I've been there if I study all night I just fail and im like what the heck man then my teacher calls my mom and I get in trouble when I get home then next thing u know im so stressed about me getting high grade next time on a test

[@angievargas3544]

Ash the Leafeon ill be happy with a 94

[@faithspam4824]

Angie Vargas I always end up staying up all night trying to study but never get around to doing it so i’m tired and unprepared.

[@angievargas3544]

faith spam bro same and in like really man

[@Penn.obsessed]

I SWEAR TO GOD I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE! I HATE MATH!

[@clairefredrickson5887]

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

[@Juno_Kujo]

Exactly... you don't learn in school, you just keep them in your mind until you use them, then forget...

[@baxt8457]

@@Juno_Kujo Facts

[@alexdaisy9016]

Period.

[@test-ti1xj]

@@Juno_Kujo True.

[@Giovanni-rh1pw]

NPC meetup?

[@mochi793]

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

[@futurethewolf5624]

My teacher bullied me for getting bad grades.

[@rushopolis]

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

[@gabyhawk5686]

On the opposite side, I have an A in science even though I don't understand anything we're learning simply because of memorization.

[@jacklaplant6798]

in chemistry i absolutely know nothing but got a an A because i could memorize and my seat partner was reallllyyy smart ;)

[@user-zo3wy4we3t]

I felt like I wanted to use the science to do some real science to learn it, because its hard to imagine how one found something or how it looks.

[@amalphia63]

I ALMOST failed chemistry for a similar reason, but I managed to pull through

[@neptune0909]

You failed chemistry? Education system will make us fail in life!

[@martendittmann5431]

At first I was told that high school is a place to socialize and entertain myself. Later, in grade eleven and twelve, I was told that high school is a place to get good grades. I was never once told that high school is a place to explore your interests. I got lucky because for my grade twelve year I took online courses and found myself very isolated and depressed. That depression and isolation gave me the time to actually realize what my interests are. I enjoy computer programming and if I had spent my fourth year going to a regular school, I wouldn't have ever considered, let alone experienced, doing any form of programming. As Ferris Bueller says, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't look around once in a while, you could miss it."

[@africankaleab360]

Jesus is Lord. Jesus is King. True Christianity is the Truth. Pray to Him and Honor Mary. Have faith in Him. 2021 will be your year. Repent.

[@henritaclariis730]

I'm going through the same thing right now, and in India, if you don't top the class you are a complete failure... My parents will not take me to a therapist, Cause it's taboo here.... I'm lost now

[@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

[@seemakamat292]

Then how do you get good grades? Please let me know. I m struggling

[@rylan642]

@bianca w and it’s because grades don’t define intelligence It’s about effort, motivation, trying to learn something new Some people are very capable, but don’t try their hardest, or don’t perform their fill potential. Maybe don’t have enough motive (like me). I’ve thought of myself as decently smart

[@VPZealouZ]

I don’t study either, school made me procrastinate and lazy for some reason.

[@jaslavie]

@@seemakamat292 clearlyt you did not get the point of the video

[@hey0173]

@@seemakamat292 she is just smart

[@andrrmo]

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

[@hjw5838]

Andrew Romero that's real cool

[@saimahramen]

playwithfriends ditto.

[@karengem7940]

Awesome

[@darajoyce5514]

Good for u

[@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.

[@yaranwd5995]

s o L a n g e I honestly don’t know what I’ve learned the past few years for most of my classes. I don’t learn a lot outside school but in classes a big part of the time I don’t know what the teachers are talking about. Some classes just feel useless because you don’t really do anything in the class and then you just have to know stuff for tests. I don’t remember a big part of the things that I’ve learned for school outside school or in school. I hear the same things from my friends it’s a mess. You need the grades to get into colleges or get certain jobs but it’s a mess because we don’t learn we pick the easy things because you’re less likely to fail them and get your diploma.

[@orangepenguin7782]

Plus schools never tell us what we are learning

[@elytrium]

She's a wonderful speaker. 👍

[@olivial5558]

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

[@faeriescottage]

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

[@lesliesalas8169]

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)

[@africankaleab360]

Jesus is Lord. Jesus is King. True Christianity is the Truth. Pray to Him and Honor Mary. Have faith in Him. 2021 will be your year. Repent.

[@chillaxinfool6857]

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...

[@LegacyBowYT]

Yea... it broke me down. Im actually happy when im sick just so i can miss school.

[@vidsbyjane23]

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.

[@outresru7751]

even I do score well in all subs except math but but I don't do too well in science too but I love learning about it

[@neelamgupta7542]

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 ??

[@roseeeyc9851]

People die for this. People die...this society has gotten out of control. People die for a grade or because of a grade. They are basically just telling me that, a mark on the test is worth more then my life

[@neelamgupta7542]

@@roseeeyc9851 Exactly. It seems like without grades u are nothing. I really sometimes hope why do even have grade markings... Can't believe a letter and a number are worth more than a person's life... 😂

[@aryehlitt2787]

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.

[@Pinkiiepiiee]

I'm only here bc of Google classroom assignments, anyone else🤭

[@deno_4660]

yeah me too

[@makemelaughaturcommentchal4769]

I'm here because my teacher insulted me on canvas

[@shirazbaznet9391]

Who else looked at the Picture of Einstein behind her? I thought it looked cool!!

[@pinklillyflower4387]

When I was younger, I used to make up all these little games and things, And now it has taken weeks to come up with an idea for a single book.

[@nicoleruthsidney6287]

thank you for making me realized that grades arent everything!

[@KingVargan]

By high school... “We will stop asking questions” THAT HIT ME SO HARD

[@IGleeker]

It’s not about what they mean it’s about what gets you into college. I take classes that will help me be what I want to be in the future. I’m bad at tests and good at classwork, essays, large exams and homework. Im better at things that require general knowledge not specific facts.

[@mohbro1]

College is just as worthless

[@fallingapart]

Gleeker sammee but I'm only good at classwork

[@gracee_520]

I’m good at tests and classwork. I don’t really have time for a lot of sleep let alone homework.

[@rylan642]

@@mohbro1 it can be

[@Allison-xf7ry]

My grades really dropped this year. I’m fifteen and have depression and anxiety... I couldn’t concentrate due to sleep deprivation. My memory became, and still is so cloudy. I went from A’s and B’s to fails and few passes... it hit me hard, my self esteem has never been this low. School is so stressful... I started missing chunks each week, I missed exams, didn’t turn in assignments that I’d completed. And I’m still in this depressive period... it’s the end of the year. Today is my last day of tenth grade, and I’m at home... my exams and assignments are complete this term... I hope I did well.

[@africankaleab360]

The Lord will help you get through this. Jesus is Lord. Jesus is King. True Christianity is the Truth. Pray to Him and Honor Mary. Have faith in Him. 2021 will be your year. Repent.

[@angelthefloridian7350]

Allison I hope you are doing ok

[@anjusharma4855]

we, as students dont really worry about marks as being the definition of our aptitude and skill. we worry about marks because we have to deliver more than we receive. parents, teachers, colleges, placements, etc all want those marks

[@ericaysabel8744]

This is really true, that I even did those things. I would always try to figure out what I need to learn in a class, would rather do something I’m good at then bad and would study it til I knew that I would ace it. I really do know, I live in a household where the expectation is higher than the people who tell them, where I would be asked what I want to be to grow up or where you the one who got the highest grade. Even my grandparents when they would call me they would say hi, talk about whats up like holidays, birthdays etc. Then after they would bring up my school, grades and compare me to my cousin. So I just wish that in the future our educators will discuss that and remind us.

[@shubhankarray2515]

20.08.2020 In my case, it's Physics...I have always loved it and will continue to...always. It's everywhere, beautiful and divine. But my teacher never seem to get it. She seems biased as well grading her pets better. I have rarely got good grades at it. Funny enough, I never rote learn the proofs, like everyone else does over here but I do them intuitively all by myself. However she never appreciates it and always looks for finding an error. Well, I know it doesn't matter at the end. These times shall pass too... Just writing this to stumble across this down my memory lane. Thank you

[@africankaleab360]

Jesus is Lord. Jesus is King. True Christianity is the Truth. Pray to Him and Honor Mary. Have faith in Him. 2021 will be your year. Repent.

[@leoxuca]

Well done Eva! What an inspiring TED Talk! :D

[@thetroll4173]

Since when is 70 a "bad mark"

[@thetroll4173]

Pidge Hruby 50 is failing where i live.

[@chanezhannane1427]

well, some overachievers (like myself, unfortunately) consider anything below 90% or even 95% an awful grade

[@funnylaurenc]

Simstar123 Xxx if i got a 70 i’d cry tbh

[@achintk7937]

Asian standards

[@aprilbluebell7334]

@@thetroll4173 50% And you're grateful where I'm from

[@khadichamamatova3117]

I just loved her speech 😭❤️

[@TheReal3177]

You know theres something seriously wrong about the education system when kids are happy when they get sick

[@caitlinlinehan9055]

School depresses me so much for this soul reason. And when I get bad grades for simply not being able to focus long enough to get things done, the things that really make me happy and might actually shape my career is taken away from me. Like when I fail a class I'm no longer allowed to attend drama club. My future career revolves around learning everything I can to be able to work on a TV set. Yet because I'm failing MATH I can't learn about this.

[@JohnSmith-ff1yo]

Caitlin Linehan i feel ya it is terrible how they made all of these courses including math mandatory credits. TERRIBLE, it is like restricting our freedom

[@quantumyoutubeguy2]

The more you use the information you have the better you will remember it

[@ericbruellman1966]

It’s all memorization. I got many A’s in high school and I bet at the current moment I remember the exact same amount of information as the kids who failed. Nothing.

[@Kiran-ug5yi]

Grades tell how much we can cram

[@yakinyamaddi]

True

[@binbin9931]

The concluding lines in a speech carry great impacts to an audience, to such extents that lasts long after a performance. That said, Eva Ren’s delivery of the aforementioned carried no weight. Her line, “...that’s when we will better and truly encourage the leaders of tomorrow”, received no setup; and accordingly, the line felt out of place despite its sentimentality. As a suggestion for improvement, she could have repeatedly mentioned the line ‘encourage the leaders of tomorrow’ earlier in her speech, or maybe even recalibrate the main point of her talk into ‘encouraging the leaders of tomorrow’.

[@morgan7014]

This was so good... I got the chills

[@couldliveonyoutube1841]

Amazing that she said at the beginning that her friend loves a subject but is brainwashed into thinking that she ‘sucks’ at it!!!

[@windsorholman]

In sixth grade, SIXTH GRADE, the people in my math class hated asking questions because it would lengthen the math class. They BOOED at the people who asked questions. Why is this? Because school has squandered our creativity and passion to learn so quickly. We are not lazy. We are simply tired of going to a prison.

[@88FireStar]

Well said#

[@zcm007attack]

Grades are in no way indicative of a student's self-worth, self-respect, genuity, originality, creativity, teamwork skills, interpersonal skills nor their imagination. Grades are merely a tool of coercion used to judge/label students on their blind/passive conformity towards the educational bureaucrats purely subjective and superficial standards of what it means to be a 'model student'.

[@renachen5179]

I was going to comment on the importance of grades, but I realize that she's still in high school. In university, grades only matter if you aim for a graduate program, and most jobs don't require you to achieve a certain grade. However, unless you are aiming for the top companies (investment banking , consulting, or Google/Bloomberg more specifically), your grades matter a lot. If you don't have the marks, those institutions will not look at your resume. But that's only a small percentage of companies. Also, after finishing university, I find that if you pick the right program, your courses will be more interesting to you and sometimes you don't get a choice on what you want to take.

[@sarahcrites3825]

Shes saying thats part of the problem, universities view on grades

[@rissa7059]

Grades also determine scholarships and how much money you get sometimes

[@mahjoubadam1742]

@@sarahcrites3825 but then again, there's just no better way, universities get thousands of applications each year, making sure that they are good learners one by one is simply not gonna happen, u need a standardized tests

[@chillaxinfool6857]

Thank you I'm a A B students in hs at the point cause my mum wants me to keep up my grade...I really think grades cause too much pressure on us students...fml...fix the system...

[@mahjoubadam1742]

If you think grades are pressure , just wait for real life

[@tashatekuchova4418]

That is some good talk

[@penelope563]

At least in Canada (actually I'm only sure about Ontario), in high school you choose to take courses as acedemic (similar difficulty as elementary and middle school) applied (smaller workload, more teacher help, easier material), and advanced (quite hard, large workload, and high expectations), but it's still a one size fits all approach, just more varied.

[@jishanborno6411]

I think this applies to Alberta as well since I went to a high school in Alberta.

[@drew9384]

I have to write a 300-400 word page on how "Consider all that you have learned so far about necessary life skills. " on this video furthermore proving this videos point

[@raulrosas5068]

sounds like brain torture cuz then you get to the part where you dont know what else to write down

[@lienphan6446]

Thank you very much.

[@jamesahmadpour9001]

this is why I love ted talks

[@callahanr5816]

My school is switching from GPA achievement and changing to a more challenge centered system. There are no "Valid Victorians", and now groups of achievement that have names of which im not going to attempt to name. Pretty neat.

[@nixekexiej2921]

When I was in elementary I don’t really care about grades. Now that I am a Junior, I have been a consistent with High Honors and now that I am already in my last year of Junior, I became 2nd in 3rd quarter but still fighting for the 4th quarter to get that Valedictorian. I feel really bad that I am feeling this way, but it’s really difficult when you have expectations for yourself and people look forward to what you can achieve.

[@katiedownes3306]

Wow this is so right

[@jaydencrews7128]

I've been told by countless teachers that I was one of the brightest kids they've ever had. Since elementary, they would always tell me how they saw creativity and wonder in me, and in middle school, I would never care about grades because there were just no motives for it. The few times my mind would actually take interest in what my teachers had to say, and I would somehow subconsciously remember all of it. And with that, I would get high scores on tests without studying. the worst part of all if it is I would get severely behind on grades and the 0s would outweigh the test scores and nothing I could do would get my averages higher. There were so many times where I just wanted to give up. I feel like schools just leave you on your own and are only there to put you down for not trying your absolute best at all times.

[@laurenschwartz2670]

Great speaker!

[@krishanayak03]

I'm the really scholar one in my school period..but nowadays im in my higher class and don't know that when I am being that type of shy and calm that even I want to talk with my teachers i literally not able to talk with them....school's give me a lot of extreme level personalities till now and I think it will live with me with my last breath..but now to be honest the year ...2020...2021. And and no doubt half of 2022 and other half one to getting my self back...I'm really the great one and honored to be here yt recommendation is not that type of bad ...I am really struggling with my life to achieve my things back...this covid has taken my all talents this is the reason that I am not proudly say that I was the topper of my batch at ever..this thing covid literally snatched to me ...I'm not giving up ...I really wish that also turned out into good better and best situation...really feels great to see here everyone...and their comments...they all are not wrong..I only want that my personality no one can took from me but for that I am the only one who can get up my self and give me those compliments back those ..being proudly feeling gave me back..I will try really hard for that..I'm alone here right now and don't tell u guys that it's hurt me but it's giving me a lot of positive vibes to get my self back..thanks to u and thanks to u guys

[@jaquelinepetrosky2038]

This is really good! My students are writing their own Ted Talks and are in a pre-IB class that includes ¨identity¨and ¨experiences¨!

[@cloyewoods]

Truth!! Thank you for your voice.

[@lemonboiyoutube]

Wow, who wlse came into this video thinking it was something else, but then being intrigued by the start?

[@Nicole-td2ix]

Hope all teachers and parents will see this talk

[@spaceman9929]

Sadly They dont want To Know the Truth So there avoiding this Video and keep showing useless stuff.

[@raulrosas5068]

the school board dont want them to see this video

[@slappbassnow]

@@raulrosas5068 The crazy thing is when I was doing an advocacy project in reading class and I chose grades and the flaws it has as the project, I tried to use the grading is a scam video from zoe bee and it was blocked And most of her other videos were blocked too

[@Juno_Kujo]

Everytime I ask anyone why do I need high grades, they tell me it's to pass the grade, they have no other reason...

[@Jeyfeather-iv4ol]

I had to take a five question multiple choice chemistry test last month. I knew nothing on that test because I didn't understand anything we were being taught in class and didn't ask for help from my teacher who is the only chemistry teacher in our school. I was told over and over again over the past few years to just guess. At least you have a fifty percent chance of getting a question right. I got all of them wrong. One time I found my first grade report card and realized that they were good grades unlike the ones I have now and it really hit me. I don't know what went wrong but I think it started in fourth grade cause I remember always lying about not having my homework. Now, I always think I'm gonna get a question wrong and I rarely look at my grades because I know their horrible and everyone keeps telling me to get good grades but it's not helping.

[@amjadilham4174]

The current system is in a traumatic situation, but if only our voices can be heard ... it will revolutionize the world... but as of now it is true and an unfortunate reality of the world appreciating only a cage of A pass students :((

[@outresru7751]

I AM NOT BAD AT MATH. but I always end up getting half of the full marks. my grandpa came through a lot of struggle so he thinks ONLY education gets through bad times.But I always disappoint him and I do feel really bad upto to a point where I lock myself in the room and I have TOO my anxiety on the day of exam. My supportive mom understood this mentality of mine so he always said she doesn't care if I feel and along w that these ted talks really helped me. Even NOW I STRUGGLE IN MATH. but I'm atleast doing w a feeling that I can do better and I'm capable of it.

[@justanotherhuman2753]

If "G" Was a grade, I'd have it.

[@abdullahdelab1075]

In my country, a G is a grade.

[@nezukorun1052]

This speech hit hard

[@hussainshaikh8138]

Her accent is so smooth

[@DaveWard-xc7vd]

Learning does not begin at first bell and end at last bell. Students are free to pursue their interests on their own.

[@CHAOS_6E]

I failed AP Computer Science A... right now I’m working on an artificial intelligence on my own now that I’m in the summer before my senior year. My other classmates don’t know how to even start an AI

[@yakinyamaddi]

Wow that's so cool!

[@saffronyoutubeshorts]

!! I’m taking AP Comp Sci A right now through self study and im incredibly scared for the test in May. I feel so behind

[@CHAOS_6E]

@@saffronyoutubeshorts join the AP discord. People will be there to help you through to learn the material

[@pppppppieeeeeee]

She speaks truth

[@beautifulandmotivated3181]

There was this girl in my 6th grade class who I used to laugh at for crying when she didn’t get good grades. Now that I’m older, I kinda feel bad. There’s no telling what she was going through.

[@BlissfulAestheticWhispers]

OMW am inspired❤❤❤❤so true

[@TSUChurro]

All school and my parents ever gave me was a disorder or depression and made me feel useless and trapped.

[@ninjapirate123]

Go to Finland

[@baekbaek4465]

I was year 4 3yrs ago, I asked teachers how to move parabolas and they said it was well above the curriculum, then I moved to a private school 1month after and asked the same question and they taught me . Does this show that private schools teach much better due the teachers passion?

[@mmrebong8871]

3:36 summed up how my college/university applications went

[@sarahestelle684]

In the early years of school (age 5-11) I was top of my class. A straight A student. I was one of the smart ones. Then i went to an academically selective school, this means I had to take multiple exams to get in. I have been going to that school for almost a year now and my self esteem in all subjects has decreased dramatically! I am going pretty bad (for my school average) in maths and science especially. I got b’s in majority of my classes, a c in maths and an a in geography and art. I know I am smart! I must be because I got into this school, but being at the bottom and my friends getting higher marks than me is ruining my confidence. Not to mention my parents are scraping up all the money they have to afford a good tutor. My teachers aren’t doing anything to help me in my learning and I have cried myself to sleep multiple nights about my grades and how far I’ve fallen! I want to become a teacher later in life but that means doing well in all of my subjects and I don’t know if I can do that! I’m just struggling with my school self esteem right now.....

[@africankaleab360]

Jesus is Lord. Jesus is King. True Christianity is the Truth. Pray to Him and Honor Mary. Have faith in Him. 2021 will be your year. Repent.

[@ranakh9299]

l luv this girl guys lol . finally someone understands me and my mindset as a student

[@angelakate9063]

There's a couple of people i know that got 95% grade but still very sad and disappointed about it and still wanting more. And there's also this person i know that got 60%, but was very grateful about it and actually got a lesson from it. And that person was actually working on her passion and interests to the point where she tends to put school her second priority. She's not ashamed that she got that grade, because she was actually building her life outside of school.

[@cereal-kr2kk]

That is what I hate most about school systems, they judge you about the classes that THEY offer you, but if you're good at something else then that thing has no worth, no acceptance. The worst thing about this is that most of the stuff that they teach you at school, doesn't even benefit you in your life after it

[@risafilm]

I truly am a person who believes in learning rather than scoring but my school never allowed me to study a subject because they think am not capable enough or I might fail in that exam and when I requested them that I wanna study that subject I find it interesting I was asked to look at my grades and after requesting that I wanna take up that subject I could not manage to pass due to some health issues. I failed but I was content that I learned something but my school restricted me and asked me to drop that subject and asked me to score well in the 1st semester if not I will have to drop the subject , my principal also insulted me Infront of my classmates saying that the school does not wants failures in the student council. Due to so much pressure I am now under depression and keep getting anxiety attacks I had my exam few days ago and I could not perform well. I was having anxiety attacks even the doctors could not help me

[@sarahharmon9403]

I hate it when people say things like “you have so much potential” “just apply yourself” I know I need to do that but I don’t know how. The way I was taught in school didn’t show me how to apply myself. But if you get really luck there is actually a teacher who cares, and I got lucky. My ELA teacher sat with me after school and helped my write an essay. But not everyone has that chance

[@richardsowter5359]

inspiring

[@user-oh6tu8of3d]

What I took from this video to my own life is that I need to start looking at grades differently and stop measuring people's creativity or intelligence just by the mark they got on a test because they may have personal issues that affect their grades or they are smart in their own way. For example the speaker in the video, Eva said that in high school she was a straight a-student but in elementary school , she had an issue with language so she had horrible grades not because she wasn't intelligent she just couldn't understand the words that her teachers were saying. That shows that grades say nothing about the person who gets them.

[@echa7101]

Well the meaning of a good grades for me is that my mother would stop comparing me to other children😊

[@rahimnasr9349]

I have never seen the point of school, School always keeps students to think inside the box rather than outside it..

[@krandomness9084]

When grades aren’t everything but then I have teachers who tell me that people who are successful in school do better in life. I’ve been struggling every since I could possibly remember. I was never a straight A student and don’t think I will ever be. I try and think I did my best but then I see that my test or assignment wasn’t good enough. Im usually just a B student but went downhill during my 8th grade year. Knowing well I’m going off to highschool next year. I know I’m a failure from the start

[@internetguy6928]

That’s not true. You are not a failure. Realize that. I give you my honesty and support. Grades mean nothing at the end of the day.

[@fatimamukhtar1000]

How my school grades students: Projects: 15% Homework:10% Quizzes: 15% Tests: 25% Class work:35%

[@edeck7]

my buddy got a 24% on a math test. my other friend got a 34%. I got a 74%. The teacher got fired 2 days later.

[@nathantooma6670]

Wait how did she/he get fired?

[@edeck7]

Nathan Tooma he was a perv, graded unfairly, called kids parents because they were hanging out with “bad kids” (he only said that because the kids had low grades lmao)

[@nathantooma6670]

@@edeck7 oh, uhhhh... thats a little weird

[@user-ol6kq2bv9z]

electives-קורסי בחירה Courses by choice Schedule-לוח זמנים a list of times or dates for activities or things to be done fostering-לטפח to take care of something/someone curriculum-תכנית לימודים study program regurgitate-להקיא To throw up reluctant-מסרב to refuse transcript-רשימת ציונים a list of grades midst-אמצע center,middle consequently-כתוצאה מכך As a result barriers-מחסומים blocks

[@chillaxinfool6857]

But its going to be hard to change what we have been lead blindfully by...passing is all students wanna do now..not fail...not even aiming to achieve higher than just passing...grades when bad is like something you wanna get off your chest, but literally can't and causes you so much depression and feelings...its going to be pretty hard to change that feeling...

[@henritaclariis730]

This Seriously hit me hard!! I love physics, But I Took medicine just because it's easier.

[@DaveWard-xc7vd]

Equity allows you to reach someone else's potential, not your own. Education must be meritocratic.

[@techonalecm.2273]

This is beautiful, thank you😥

[@limsusy4410]

People always look up to me for being one of the student excellence. Whats so good about graduating as a salutatorian, when you're depressed, anxious, under pressure, lifeless and you just feel like life is meaningless?

[@serpentzachary1340]

I get good grades because I don't want my parents to be pissed at me. Other than that I don't really care of my grades it isn't what I am worth.

[@nishanthmurugan8084]

I finally got some hope

[@cuberz1465]

This vid has the best comment section froma TedTalk

[@gerardosandoval6210]

Eistein actually got amazing grades, its a missconception that he didnt, but his passions were academically endorsed so it isnt really relevant, education is rotten, no doubt about that, just wanted to metion that

[@makemelaughaturcommentchal4769]

I usually don't cry but I think I cried a bit. my 10 year old sister watched this and now she's crying