Who I Was in High School

In which John discovers his surprising report cards from his junior year of high school, as well as the best fan mail ever.
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[@arielfrancis2734]

We definitely need more adults telling us that school isn't everything. Thank you.

[@luciabee]

well said!

[@Yosi-Berman]

I wish someone was there to tell me that just because I was lazy with school work doesn't mean I don't have a work ethic.

[@ImmaterialDigression]

It isn't everything but education is really important. That is the difference. Also easy way to get opportunities and those opportunities are also v. important.

[@arielfrancis2734]

I think knowledge is more important than education. As long as you have that knowledge, why should it really matter where/how you got it?

[@TheVlog]

This is actually very reassuring to me, and so it probably is to a lot of other people too

[@MllxPomPote]

This has taken some pressure off me thank you.

[@mcmoran9267]

Right, like finally someone is telling the world that life isn't decided in high school!!!

[@Iwekzy]

MC Moran its sort of is, if your grades suck you dont have the freedom to study what you want

[@MllxPomPote]

MC Moran true and that you can still make something of your self even if your grades are average :)

[@amysmith4446]

MC Moran this video is literally what you tell me every day and helps the message sink in a little bit more.

[@Tubeytime]

Iwekzy Google and wikipedia say hello. You can literally study anything you want at all, whenever you want. There are always resources that are accessible for free.

[@magicturtle3541]

This video made me feel something...

[@adammartinelli8274]

I don't know what it was, but it wasn't the need to poop or throw up.

[@kaleidoslug7777]

but it made me feel something new

[@namitaa]

this made me chuckle tee hee

[@weinerboy5108]

The “urge”

[@SilverFlame819]

Rue Everdeen Me too! And I honestly don't know what that thing is. I was John in high school. Maybe I just feel sad and hopeful and a sense of recognition... :/

[@cfrenchfrye]

“Destiny. Only something that happens in retrospect.” Thanks John

[@Ayesha_F]

❤

[@nataliedavila1040]

Thank you for not being perfect human in high school I don't know why but I have this sudden feeling now like all the shit that's happening will be okay. 😊

[@TheDewok12]

It will be.

[@kacsa00001]

just because one person made it work doesn't mean you will be fine

[@kizukeyos]

^^ We have a negative nancy here...

[@kacsa00001]

Caroline Amour I'm just saying that there isn't really a reason to get complacent. John is ashamed that he was bad at school.If we go by grades(not accurate representation of inteligence but at least concrete) i was a better student but i regret not being better because they are eating me alive academicly in university.there are other oportunities sure but it seriously hinders my now clear goals. Tldr version don't get complacent and hope it works out.Most of the time it won't

[@nataliedavila1040]

kacsa00001 you don't get to tell me what will happen in my life it could be shit or it could be amazing that's not up to you to decide bye

[@whitneystriggow8007]

I come back and watch this video when I get really stressed about school and it helps me remember that there is more to life than the grades I get.

[@mananrocks98]

same ! Struggling with really bad grades right now

[@alexgonzalez514]

Wish we could turn back time. To the good old days 🎧🎧

[@boonbrazy338]

+alex Gonzalez that song gave me cancer

[@gabriellagongora7083]

That's hard when you have strict parents. lol

[@saranshgautam6551]

@@boonbrazy338 Cmon it's not thaat bad..

[@harunsuaidi7349]

I'm going to be a teacher soon, and this made me smile. I will believe in every one of my students.

[@canttReid]

I wasn't the nicest kid to my teachers and I could have shown some more respect but yet most teachers still believed in me. I didn't appreciate it then but I do now. So for those bad eggs, consider they just need to mature a bit more to realize all you do and one day they will.

[@sierra3832]

I wish you luck

[@OddManSam]

I wish one of my teachers was like you. xD

[@weinerboy5108]

You’ll believe in them on the first day. Then, for years (or days) after that, you will want to commit suicide

[@Stewerrvideos]

So is teaching going? Is it still scary, or is it wonderful?

[@kidacadea]

"Destiny isn't something that happens at one point, it's something that's been cut into multiple unfulfilling DLC packs."

[@ronanbloodedge5378]

Cot dammit

[@andresacosta5318]

Au Atwell COD* dammit....

[@Ruby_Key]

That genuinely made me laugh out loud. Thank you. It really helped during this stressful time of mine.

[@tumtumtreee]

Teachers who go well beyond the call of duty are a woefully under appreciated wonder of the world.

[@brwneyedgirlx19]

Agreed. 100%.

[@RawritsRIA]

Agreed. I especially admire teachers who are willing to add their students on Facebook after they are allowed to (a few of mine added me after graduation).

[@Tubeytime]

My list of most admirable people in no particular order: Nudists, Teachers, Vegans, Social Workers.

[@MeteorShower2]

***** Why nudists? I'm kind of flattered, I'm a nudist and I'm kind of in the way of becoming a Social Worker, so yay I got two points hahaha

[@Tubeytime]

Efrén Alonso Well kudos to you. It's because some things you do in order to make people happy, like shoveling snow so people can walk down a sidewalk. But some things you do in order to KEEP people happy. One of those things is wearing clothes. Imagine it's 80 degrees outside and you want to go for a walk, there's no reason besides social pressure to put anything on. Anything that falls into that category, like makeup, I don't like. I respect people who manage to avoid or unlearn those crippling social expectations.

[@ceragowans]

"Destiny is not something that happens all at once: it is something that happens only in retrospect." ~John Green New favorite quote!

[@MiaStegnerMusic]

Same here! (:

[@jf160297]

"Anything is a dildo if you're brave enough." - Mahatma Gandhi True inspiration :)

[@wanderlustlovelace]

"Destiny is not something that happens all at once: it is something that happens only in retrospect." - Melody

[@tigersfan61979]

Yes, this needs to be a DFTBA poster like yesterday!

[@masterman586]

"Destiny is a game that was over-hyped" - People who played Destiny

[@Shannyrulz4eva]

I feel so sorry for the teenagers of today... I think Highschool is getting increasingly difficult.. And they make you think that your life would be determined by your grades... I'm not saying don't work hard.. but please don't let it consume you, make you feel worthless, overwhelmed or depressed.. you're going to be okay.. take life a step at a time..

[@mck0612]

Thank you.

[@elizabethg.6580]

The way this was written, I thought it was referring to recent events, but then I realized it was from 4 years ago. I'm not sure how to feel about that, but it's not great

[@aleckbo]

I wish I read this a year ago.

[@Velociter]

Being a 2nd Semester high school senior, I'm starting to understand what John means when he says "High school isn't destiny."

[@Animenite97]

+PooleParty24/7 Fellow Senior: we're almost finished.

[@MetalheadPedro]

I finished high school in 2014, and man, the senior year was the most boring year of high school and probably of my whole life so far. I hope I don't ever have another year as boring as that... or worse.

[@dreamingofcupcake]

Coming into second semester of senior year as well. Couldn't agree more.

[@haleykendall8124]

+PooleParty24/7 As another 2nd semester high school senior, it's really hard to not look at life after high school as being one giant fork in the road though. I know what he's saying is true, but it's difficult to not panic anyway.

[@amcghie7]

+PooleParty24/7 Just wait till you're in college or university, you'll realise that all those years high school was completely meaningless.

[@HarryBookGnome]

As someone who was also a terrible High School Student, but a much better college student, this video is truly important to me. People are so shocked when I tell them I very nearly didn't graduate High School. "But you're so smart." and I'm like, "Yeah, but depression and bullies and apathy." But they still don't get it.

[@luciabee]

thank you for this comment

[@TheVlog]

This is so true for so many people, thank you

[@kelseyrankin73]

Apathy and depression are a major problem at every level of schooling. Glad you made it. :)

[@HarryBookGnome]

Awww, thanks y'all :)

[@AndreaCrisp]

🤗

[@andreabreckenridge5680]

I have the opposite problem. I was super duper fantastic in high school. Gave a graduation speech and everything. But now I'm in college and I AM NOT NEARLY AS GOOD. IT HURTS.

[@angietherockstar]

I was in the middle. I was very similar to John in high school except I still got really good grades despite doing the bare minimum. Then I got to uni and it was like "oh fuck, I actually have to do stuff" and, while I still graduated with honors, I know I could have done much better if I'd developed a stronger work ethic earlier in life.

[@andreabreckenridge5680]

That's the thing, though. I hate feeling like I'm bragging, but I do have a great work ethic. I just feel like I wasn't appropriately prepared for college.

[@jonssister92]

Andrea Breckenridge I know the feeling. I graduated with a high gpa in high school. Second semester my sophomore year of college I got this feeling. I failed my first two classes ever in my life, and I had a melt down. I was put on academic probation. Took a break from college for a semester. I transferred to a community college, and got my associates. I'm now at a different college, and I'm super happy. My schedule isn't exactly where the college would like, but it's not a big deal. I'm doing me and I'm happy. So take a semester of school off if you have to. It's not a big deal.

[@andreabreckenridge5680]

That's good advice :) I don't think I'll do take a break, but I may quit the honors program. It would make everything so much easier. I'm glad to know that some people succeed by taking unconventional paths. Congratulations on your happiness!

[@Nimrast]

That is pretty much the norm in Engineering degrees, at least where I'm from. Cheer up! You'll still do great in life, where things are not decided by arbitrary evaluation mechanisms like tests.

[@RustyClantonOfficial]

"smoking cigarettes in the woods" hahahahaha

[@Banneord]

+Rusty Clanton He can't say "weed" in front of all the kids, you know! Imagine the parental rage.

[@brandonwiebe2647]

+Banneord oh haha, I thought he actually meant cigarettes at first, then when he said "in the woods" it kinda gave it away lol

[@c13bubbles]

+Rusty Clanton Rusty!!!!!! I cannot begin to express how much I love your music and how much it means to me, knowing that you watch vlogbrothers makes me love you even more and I think that this is becoming a problem.

[@rickhinshaw3372]

+Rusty Clanton, John has other anecdotes about smoking tobacco cigarettes, including one about the statement by a High School teacher that got him to stop...eight years later. I'm certain when he says 'smoking cigarettes in the woods', he means 'smoking cigarettes in the woods'.

[@MechanicalMarketer253]

+Rick Hinshaw where does he talk about the teacher getting him to stop smoking?

[@AerisNotAerith]

omg this gives so much hope for me you dont even understand

[@rilorobinson7685]

Wait wait wait you actually believe high school means anything 😂😂😂

[@RainaRamsay]

"High School Is Not Destiny. It's part of life, but I feel like when you're in high school, people act like it's the most important thing you'll ever do,and the whole course of your life is being decided. But at least so far as I can tell, the course of your life isn't decided -- ever. Most of the time it's not like there's one fork in the road and you choose one or you choose the other. There are hundreds of forks in the road every day that you're alive."

[@RainaRamsay]

I think this is one of the reasons Divergent is so popular. Our 16-year-olds feel like they're being forced to choose the rest of their entire lives, right now, hurry up, haven't you decided yet?? All I can say is, there are very few mistakes you can make right now that are actually irredeemable. Basically, as long as no one dies, then it's probably not that big a deal, so don't stress about it.

[@RainaRamsay]

***** I think that's true, but I think the way we do it actually causes the opposite. To extend the metaphor, there's only so far down the road you can see before your vision is blocked by a hill or a turn or the curve of the earth. So what we need to actually be doing is teaching kids how to think hypothetically about what might be on the other side of that hill, and how they might handle some of the most likely scenarios.

[@RainaRamsay]

***** My only objection to "idiology" is that the pronunciation would be so close to "ideology" some people might not realize the difference. Which, come to think of it, makes it a pretty good representation of what's going on. The other factor is that human knowledge is expanding exponentially, and there's no way of knowing which particular facts will be useful or necessary in two decades. We need to be teaching people how to _learn_, not just "how to learn enough to pass a test and then forget it all"

[@blakehoward2804]

This will be in the John Green quote book someday...

[@JennieKerfuffle]

I really needed this video today. I'm a straight A student, but I got an 82 on my US History final exam and my dad was rather...disappointed. I guess I just needed some reassurance that a B- on a single test will not actually be the downfall of my entire high school career, since according to the attitude of my father, you'd think it'd be.

[@FatmasterKY3]

You're awesome, keep doing what you do! You already have a great channel going. How many people can say that they're putting their ideas to the world in the form of vlogs? It's great that you're so engaged already.

[@JennieKerfuffle]

Kevin Yee Thank you :)

[@jf160297]

You only need to do well in the things that matter and the things you care about.

[@Psycho69People]

Jennie Kerfuffle Tell your dad to get real. 82% is far enough sufficient. Did he even score that back in the day? Also, listen to cj tc, he knows stuff.

[@chappy1116]

You're doing great. A B- is great. What I would give for a B- some days. You want to know something? I've failed exams in college. Actually failed. But I'm about to graduate among the top of my class. No single test will determine your future.

[@HaiFishing]

John got the same B- for French, just like Miles from Looking for Alaska. It's safe to say Miles is John embodied as the protagonist in a fictional Culver Creek High School! 😉

[@josephdyball3166]

🙅🏼

[@lojupitermoon]

Thought the same thing haha

[@alicejadeacts]

What you've described is REALLY similar to what our AP biology teacher once told us. When he was in high school, he was very like you, John. It was only after he left college for a while and got jobs he disliked until he got really bored of routine and realized that education is the place where you make discoveries. His grades were like your's in high school, but he told us that it was only when he went back to college that he learned how he studies best and started getting better grades. He told us something I'll never forget: we're still growing as individuals and our brains are still developing. even if we're the students who get Cs in every class, that isn't where we're going to end up in life. wherever we are now is not the best we will ever be. I'm so glad that I'm in his class :) he is such an inspiration.

[@vampirica89]

I'd had no trouble studying in highschool, but I've been struggling with Uni due to depression for the past 6 years and still going. I really hope to graduate in October. This advice is comforting to hear.

[@beth1155]

Yeah I'm going through the same thing. I really hope everything goes well for you and good luck with Graduation :)

[@vampirica89]

To you too, my fellow Nerdfighter.

[@youtubeonwheels9390]

Scattered Moon Shards Bethan Williams best of luck to you both!! DFTBA :)

[@TheVlog]

Bethan Williams Scattered Moon Shards I wish the best for both of you! Good luck and I hope everything works out!

[@GreenPiCat]

Scattered Moon Shards Bethan Williams I've got another 'good luck' to send your ways~

[@juststeveschannel]

I was already showing Hank's video on STEM classes to MY high school students today. This will pair with that video most excellently. The question, of course, will be to see whether they take the lesson away that their destiny is not set in stone, that they make choices every day that determine their path, or whether they'll just come away convinced that "John Green just got C's in high school, and look how he's doing. I'm just fine without working any harder. I'll work hard when I get to college..." We will see.

[@Tigermond1]

I wish one of MY teachers was a Nerdfighter! Do your students even know how lucky they are? ^-^

[@youtubeonwheels9390]

Interesting observation. I have always believed the former.

[@TheVlog]

Tigermond1 I actually found out about the community through a teacher that showed us Crash Course!

[@youtubeonwheels9390]

TheVlog Similar story. I had a teacher how showed our high school american lit class John's great gatsby video in May 2013, and have been a proud nerdfighter ever since :) I love this community!

[@SDefenestration]

Try to always keep in mind other things could be going on in their lives as well. Everyone thought I was stupid in high school, but I was just being horribly abused at home. Nice to know nowhere was safe.

[@LoveSelena26]

I am a sophomore and I am slowly giving up on school. I hate it there. I feel trapped, like my thirst for knowledge, for discovery is being ignored. I want to know more about life, about its meaning, about people! And I feel like all high school has taught me is that I'm never going to fit in society because I am not as good as the others. It has gone to the point where I am content with a C and where waking up is a STRUGGLE. I don't know how I am going to hold on but your video really inspired me. Thank you for being one of the only people who reminded me that I am not a screw up and that I will do better.

[@jeljrij]

+Noreen Nz All highschoolers screw up, but at this point none of us are screw ups. We have too many possibilities, too many ifs, that just aren't realized yet. This may sound like empty philosophical bullshit, coming from a junior in high school, but be the best you can be right now, because it's all you can do and it's all you should do.

[@senmafugu]

+Noreen Nz College life is better. Focus on the academic side of HS and get to a good college/university. You'll meet good/great people in college. It's totally worth the effort.

[@bethh.8237]

Please seek help outside of the Internet! It sounds like you're dealing with depression, and therapy (if you're able to get access to it, or if not, a trusted friend/adult) can really help.

[@LoveSelena26]

John Eldridge senmafugu Thank you :) Your messages have more importance than you think. Beth H. I did, I've been seeing a therapist for three years now. I just got diagnosed with clinical depression. Thank you for caring :)

[@LoveSelena26]

AllGameGo I'm sorry, I don't think I understood your message :/

[@jaimiey.9746]

Thank you so much for this, I've been struggling a lot lately with my classes and it's comforting knowing that a C on a report card doesn't mean I'll never get a good job. Sometimes you just need to hear that stuff.

[@dandeliondunmer3637]

+Jaimie Y. I feel you. That thought consumed me with anxiety for an entire year. Yep.

[@Commenter339]

Even your job isn't your destiny. Have you ever thought of it that way? I mean, your job is always there, but it's a variable -- jobs are attained and lost, so I don't think that's your main criteria for "destiny".

[@thewinterizzy]

I already have a Bachelors but I'm looking to go back this fall for a second Bachelors, one I might actually use. College is the most expensive "I changed my mind" decision ever and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hysterically over nervous about it. But, it's good to hear that it's okay to not have it all figured out.

[@mikkiamboree]

Saaaaame. After a three year break of waffling around, I'm going back for another bachelors degree. At least I'll be the most literate engineer! (*sad trombone*)

[@TheOpaqueWalrus]

Duuuuuudes me too. I'm pretty jazzed that I now know of at least two people that are in the same boat.

[@bigtargyle]

I may be in the same boat as you in two years. I'm currently getting my Bachelors in psychology hoping to get my PHD in it, but it is a gamble and very competitive. If I do not make it I will probably end up going into something else. God I'm scared.

[@Tubeytime]

You won't always know what you want to do from the start, more often you find out what you like by doing a lot of things you DON'T like. To penalize people for simply going through that trial and error process is one of the greatest failures of this time.

[@SpirusOfH]

Hey, you met Dan?

[@Garbaz]

I'm from Germany, we have a grade system from 1 to 6; 1 is good and 6 is really bad. When I was in 7th grade I had several 5's and ,by definition, I would've to do the year again. My (only) friend I had had simular grades. We both never did what we had to do, drew funny pictures on tests instead of giving correct answeres, were loud during class and insulted teachers. Short, we were lucky to have a way to nice principal, or we would have been thrown out. And my friend weren't really friendly, I just did what he did and he enjoyed to have somebody to do bullshit with. My classmates weren't better at all; When I did "funny" stuff, they laughed, but 5 seconds later they were mocking or even bullying me again. I even started to think about several ways to end a life, but, maybe because I had a bit more in my head then I were aware of, never turned them into practice. So there we were, both with horrible grades and giving no single fuck about it. No chance we could pass. Even though I had bad grades in math, it still were my best. And my math teacher went to hell and beyond to give me one last chance, called "Nachprüfung". It was essentially just a test in all classes I were really bad at. I was only one of a few students from the whole school, who were grated this chance. And me? I didn't care. I showed up, filled in some stuff and left again. Got only 5s in the tests, except for one, in which I got a 4. So I barely slipped into the next year. Now in a different class and "lost" my friend, I went for a whole week to school without skipping any class (Didn't do that since over a year ago) and made a new friend, who were a top student, always with good grades. And suddently I started to go to school, since I had nobody who would skip with me. If I wouldn't have been granted this second chance, I don't know if I would've ever really gotten up. Now I am at an average of 1.1, almost done with school, planning to study maths at an university. When I'm done with school I will go back to that teacher who got me on the right road and I will thank him more then I will ever thank anybody in my life. I hope the reassures some struggeling student; Or a teacher reads this, because without teachers like mine there, many, possibly great minds, will get lost in drugs or suicide. (I know of one really nice and intelligent friend of a friend, who is now a drug-addict. A teacher, leading him on the right path, would've helped him for sure.) EDIT: Words...

[@safahachi3220]

Who else was expecting A+ in English😂

[@willthegirl]

Me 😂😂

[@JL-tq7fj]

I have ADHD. Everyone treated me like shit, and my teachers told me I would end up in prison. I did terribly. Then I joined the military, and after went to college. Almost all As all the way through and even made it into graduate school in biology. That didn't work out, but not for academic reasons. So, I have no thanks for my teachers in primary and secondary school. They were not only crap teachers, but crap people.

[@Onip22]

hope you are doing well. xx

[@christinastone3728]

Put "Destiny is not something that happens all at once. It's something that happens in retrospect" on a poster, please.

[@MiaStegnerMusic]

Yes!! (: I want it...

[@alec8182]

I read this when he said it

[@mykadassano438]

AGREEEED.

[@cherrybomb921]

Quote worthy. For sure.

[@sammionne239]

We need this poster John!

[@estherrawr]

my high school time only ended last year but i had the tendency to not do my homework or not attend class, too, and then inventing colorful scenarios explaining why exactly i couldn't do them/attend class... so i ended up being voted "alibi author" (or in the original word since I went to a german school: Ausredenautor) in our senior yearbook. great reputation.

[@ameliorated]

That sounds a great thing

[@angelablack9564]

haha :D welche Ausreden hast du ausgedacht?

[@estherrawr]

Angela Black Ende der 12 sind 2 freundinnen und ich während einer doppelten Freistunde mit dem Bus zu McDonald's gefahren. Dummerweise kam der Bus zurück dann irgendwie nicht. Also haben wir alle eine Stunde Politik-Unterricht verpasst. Ich habe daraufhin eine 3500 Wörter Lange Entschuldigung geschrieben, in der ich in Detail die dramatische Story dieses Donnerstagmittags erzählt habe. Hab die dann unterschrieben meinem Lehrer vorgelegt und ich glaube das war so die detaillierteste Ausrede meiner schulischen Karriere (aber sie war 74% wahr!)

[@angelablack9564]

estherrawr du konntest einfach schreiben 'der Bus kam nicht' :) das wäre 100% wahr and der Lehrer hätte dir nichts vorwerfen können (vielleicht dass du nach Schule laufen konntest). aber schöne Fantasie!

[@TheVlog]

That sounds like you have some pretty interesting voting options

[@AfsalDjearam]

I hope everyone going through a tough time in school sees this video. Your perception of yourself is the most powerful life changing power there is, and too many students think very little of themselves. Be positive; you are much, much, MUCH more than the sum of your accomplishments.

[@chelsea292]

Afsal Djearam as a junior in high school who is taking their SAT tomorrow, thank you. I really needed this.

[@robinamoko3488]

"Destiny is something that happens only in retrospect"

[@GiuliaSocolof]

I'm an A student (complete nerd) in all advanced classes, but I'm constantly feeling pressure to keep up my performance. I worry that if I screw up I'll let all my teachers down because they already expect so much of me. Even though I'm just in middle school I can't help but think that one C on a test will bring my grade down and alter the course of my future for the worse. I want to do something great, but the pressure to keep doing well is a constant reminder that there's a weight I'm carrying just praying for me to shift my grip a little so my life can come crashing down over my head. I think a lot of us get scared that once we get crushed by that weight from the tiniest little mistake we won't be able to push it off and get back up, that our destiny is to remain a cripple unable to move forward in our lives. This video was an immense stress reliever. Just wanted to say thanks for reminding me that "destiny is not something that happens all at once, it is something that happens only in retrospect". I hope when I'm your age that I can say that in retrospect, my destiny turned out pretty well.

[@Tigermond1]

Great comment. I feel you.

[@dnsfsn]

This is an exact description of me.

[@wanderlustlovelace]

I'm also a good student with nearly straight As, but I'm not afraid of getting a bad grade here and there. I know I get enough good grades to make up for it and my parents understand, that everyone has bad days. I'm honestly more terrified of a time, when getting good grades won't be enough to ensure I'll be successful in life. I have no idea what I want to be and that doesn't help. There are too many options! I feel like I can't prepare for what's going to come after high school, so I prepare for the next test instead...

[@vlogbrothers]

FIRST!

[@ljmichaels1666]

Second!

[@stayradvlogs7207]

Tfw vlogbros beat you at first comment on their video

[@thomasblack9122]

Wooooo!!!

[@angietherockstar]

Well played, John.

[@andreabreckenridge5680]

Is this because you hate when viewers care too much about where they are in the comment pool and too little about adding to the conversation? Because that bothers me, too.

[@sananth59]

dayummmm i thought you were a nerd!

[@dillonspellman4912]

I am the same way

[@sananth59]

+Dillon Spellman to be honest...me too XD

[@nastrael]

Anyone can be stressed, depressed, bitter or upset. Especially nerds.

[@sananth59]

+Nastrael Rowe bruh i thought john was good at class

[@nastrael]

Sananth Nair bruh, being a good student and being in a funk aren't mutually exclusive.

[@KemaTheAtheist]

One thing that should be noted is that, while not doing well in high school isn't the end of the world, doing well in high school gives you a lot more forks to choose from. If you do poorly and only get into one college, guess what college you're going to? Doing well in college gives you a lot more forks to choose from. If you get one job offer instead of three, guess what job you're going to be taking to start out with? Yeah, you can change it later with hard work, but you still have to start out with whatever you can get at the start. Working hard and doing so earlier gives you a lot more forks to choose from and that advantage shouldn't be understated.

[@dragoncrystal24]

Well said.

[@KemaTheAtheist]

dragoncrystal24 Thanks. :-)

[@freakinoriginal]

I didn't do well in High School (dropped out and went to College early) and then suffered through 2 years of severe depression, but because I chose to pursue a Math degree with a focus on Actuarial Mathematics I'm in a much better position than some of my hard working friends in other majors. My dad also wasn't a very hard working or dedicated student, but he is incredibly intelligent and got his degree in Physics, he was very good at what he loved and he's now in the top 2% income wise even though he almost dropped out of school to go work in a coal mine (as the tech person). If you are smart about being lazy it can often work out.

[@KemaTheAtheist]

freakinoriginal That has literally nothing to do with what I said.

[@freakinoriginal]

***** I swear I had a point in there somewhere, then my train of thought completely disappeared and I winged it, I blame the wine.

[@saraeli8626]

Well this video came in at the perfect time for me since earlier today I got yelled at by my counselor for not going to a class where I have to choose what career I want and choose a college for it and create a resume and start sending letters or something even though I am only 15 years old. I mean, seriously? Before I used to pull my hair out trying to figure out who I wanted to be, but now I've just given up. I just want to learn things. It's really depressing that last year I was a straight A+ student trying really hard to figure it out what I'm supposed to do, and now I've been pushed so much I've just given up and I'm only in my sophomore year.

[@jcsv12345]

As a sophomore myself, just think about what subject/ideas/beliefs/interests/passions you have and what you could not possibly live without. It matters, even if it is the tiniest thing! My problem personally is that I do music at a very high level but I also enjoy science/math due to the mind gymnastics. Obviously I have a conflict of interest here. XD So for me, I've realized that to make a day for me good, I have to learn or do something productive and effective which I enjoy, otherwise the day is terrible. So just think about what you can't live without.

[@xSoupyTwist]

jcsv12345 One of my friends graduated as a molecular and cell biology and music double major who will be starting medical school soon. I'm a pre-med Geography major that helps out on short film sets and does some freelance photography on the side. Having multiple interests is totally fine, if not recommended. It's what keeps us sane.

[@bandnerd29316]

jcsv12345 One area you might want to consider reading about is music theory or music acoustics. It has a lot of science and math involved in it but it is a music topic. I'm a graduate student in music theory and honestly a lot of the articles and books I read look just like a math or science article, complete with equations and graphs. That is one way to successfully marry the two topics, although only you will know which path to take. When I was in high school I was like you, torn between music and science, but there are relations between the two if you hunt them down.

[@chloep.2498]

I doubt this will help you at all, but I just wanted to say that I'm kinda jealous of you. I had to take a class like what you describe in SEVENTH GRADE, when I was just starting to think about whether I should take French or Spanish - certainly not exactly what I would major in. So I've always wished we could have had that class in Sophomore year, when I was beginning to think seriously about my future, but it wasn't to late to clean up my act if I needed to. And I WOULD like to help you if I can, so as a senior, here is my advice: it's OK to hate school, but don't screw yourself over by getting bad grades. Do the minimum work to get fairly good grades, at least, and then at least you know that no doors are closed to you. And also, I just read this article and I think you might find it helpful: www.rookiemag.com/2015/02/a-good-example/ And sorry if I've been too preachy here... just trying to make you feel better about school. :)

[@FatmasterKY3]

Not sure if you've seen it but Hank did a great presentation at the XOXO festival on the institution of dreams. He talked a lot about having a set career objective and what's good and bad about it.

[@ilyem999]

After having a minor mental break down fairly recently (earlier today) about how I don't think I'm ready for the next step of my life be it a fall or a flight I'm scared of heights either way. This was nice because some of my teachers and all of my peers have been stressing to me the absolute fact that what you do now makes or breaks what you will do for the rest of your life. To this immense task I did not rise to the task. I did not "take up arms against a sea of troubles and by opposing end them". I sort of let myself be crushed under the weight of procrastination and fear. This is nice to know that yeah you should give it your all but just because some days you can't find the plot and you're pretty sure even if you do find it you'll never understand it. That doesn't mean that one day you won't prove yourself wrong.

[@MiaStegnerMusic]

"be it a fall or a flight I'm scared of heights either way" is so insightful and relatable (:

[@Mintie365]

Ah the whole "one moment in your life isn't destiny" thing really hit me. Hard. Anyone in their dark moments should really take that into mind, life is not solely decided by the bad experiences you're facing now. Thanks vlogbrothers

[@domsusefulstuff]

You give me hope so often. Thank you for sharing such a personal, revealing part of your past, it meant a lot to me.

[@mandevillesisters]

OLD PICTURE OF JOHN IS ADORABLE Awwwwww -A,x

[@Ravenclaw1991]

All throughout school I had As and Bs. I only missed time when I was really sick, and there was about a 4 year period where I didn't miss a single day at all. I never skipped classes (no matter how much I wanted to). I started getting Cs when I got into AP classes in high school. Probably because I seriously had no idea how to study. I still don't. I still plan on going to college and my lack of study skills scares me.. I always was able to read and memorize things, but I got into chemistry and physics and calculus and it got too overwhelming to do that.

[@BlueHazyDreams]

I was probably in a worse boat but I have found a level of success. I dropped out at the beginning of my sophomore year in high school and here I am in my second year of college. I had never studied a minute in my life (though I was a very good student until mental illness screwed my academic life over) and didn't until like my third term of college. Experiment, figure out what kind of learner you are, and maybe think about attending a study/college skills class. But it's totally within your ability to succeed in college, even if some of us don't start out with all the tools others have.

[@matts4904]

***** It's so weird for me. I'm taking a few AP classes and am doing just as well in those as my other classes (B Average), but in all honestly I hardly remember seriously studying. Ever. Chemistry, so far, is pretty simple to me (It's the 4th quarter, so I imagine it doesn't get much more difficult). I'm a procrastinator like most, but unlike most I always have it in mind that I'll eventually get it done. Like, I've done a weeks+ worth of homework by dedicating an entire Sunday to it.

[@ohbthr]

I managed to get through most of high school without good study habits too, so I know that feeling. The good news is you can always keep learning how to study. There are lots of articles written about it, but there's also just trial and error. Try studying alone, in groups, in your house/apartment/dorm, in the library, at a coffee shop, etc. It may even be the case that every class or subject requires a different study technique, and that's okay. Also, many many colleges offer tutoring services for their students, either for free or for very cheap. You'll most likely be tutored by other undergrads, but it can still help if you're struggling. Also don't be afraid of professor's office hours! Their availability will likely vary widely depending on class size and each individual professor, but you may have TA's with office hours too, and they will be happy to talk to you. Just because you don't have study habits ingrained right now doesn't mean you can never get better.

[@VictorianVulgar]

I was in exactly the same boat - I did excellently all though school, based mostly on my ability to bullshit with extreme verve and talent, and then I was put into some AP classes, which I bombed. It send me into a tailspin, because I always measured my self worth by my grades and finding out that I wasn't the academic rockstar I thought I was was not just humbling, it was poisonous. I'd never needed to study before, and I had no idea how to actually do the work. When I got into a very good college, I panicked, feeling as though I had somehow tricked them into accepting me. But there is always time to learn how to study. And college is a completely different environment, one that wants you to succeed on your own terms. Professors have office hours, libraries are open late, there are workshops on how to manage your time and your energy. Red Bull is usually pretty cheap. I'm graduating in three months with a near-perfect GPA and an acceptance to grad school. You're going to be just fine.

[@MeteorShower2]

Well, at least you can start preparing before college. In my case, I got through school getting B's and a few A's just by paying attention in class and doing the very minimum, but then: BOOM, College. The change was so radical I failed 6 of the 10 classes I had the first year, passed 4 of those in the summer tests and then repeated the same on second year, with the extra 2 from the last one. It was devastating, took me forever to understand how to make my brain focus best, what times work better to one thing or the other and having patience to accept mistakes and keep trying. I'm still workign on it, looks like what works best for me is to completely avoid confort areas where I tend to procastinate so I stay at the library for about an hour or two every day after class to get my work done. (I can't even come home, my brain just goes into lazy mode LoL) I'd say you explore what works best for you, ask for some guidance if you need fast results.

[@kayleenholt9588]

I might sound a little over dramatic but this video just made me tear up. It makes me feel so encouraged to know that you were not the perfect high school student and to see who you are now. It just lifts the pressure off my shoulders to show that high school is just high school. It's not all there is. There's more & it makes me so happy I can relate to you.

[@cazmiller605]

I have 5 Cs right now after being on honor roll first quarter. I NEEDED this you don't even know

[@SilverB57]

I found this somewhat inspirational. We're not the same people we were in high school, any of us. We don't have to grow up to be that person.

[@GirlwithFangz]

This actually really made my day and made me a lot less stressed out about the future. I'm a senior in high school now and deciding on a college and a major definitely feels like I'm deciding my destiny its good to know that someone knows that it isn't. And understands the stresses of being a terrible student and not doing anything in classes. ahh this just made me so happy.

[@GirlwithFangz]

Thank you!:)

[@oliviabh.3989]

How's it going now? I'm in basically the same position you were in when you wrote this comment. Any advice?

[@glennthompson8378]

You make me feel better about my future John.

[@sarahstephens9005]

Coming back to this video as I anticipate taking AP tests and the SAT in the next couple weeks, then finals in the next months. Thank you John, this is exactly the kind of thing I needed to hear.

[@katculbertson2444]

John, I cannot thumbs up this video enough. I'm just finishing out high school now, and a combination of school anxiety, ADHD, and a lack of motivation rendered me the kid who always had terrible attendance and at least 8 missing assignments at any given time throughout the four years. C's became a normal thing for me, which would have been unthinkable to my middle school self. I totally know what you mean about getting hundreds of unearned chances: my junior English teacher gave me until July to finish the coursework, I still didn't do it all, and yet he continues to smile at me in the hallway and compliment my reading ability. I get anxiety just thinking about all my screw ups, despite therapy and counseling and endless support. I'm off to college next year, and I'm working so hard to achieve competence, but I'm scared.

[@LittleMissAcey]

I agree with you John. I see people at my school act they're going to die if they don't in homework or some project. It pisses me because high school isn't you're whole life and just because you once did good in school or was popular isn't going matter as much as you think. I think it's about chasing you're goals. Then again, this is coming from someone who rarely does their homework and doesn't talk to anyone at school but hey I did my homework today so who cares.

[@LittleMissAcey]

***** I'm the opposite. School work depresses me. Like Craig from It's Kinda a Funny Story.

[@wigwam8319]

I'm a pretty good student, but I agree, school is the bane of my existence.

[@SuperKing604]

well doing your homework and projects on time does develop good habits. growing up i just never considered not doing my homework or projects an option like didn't you guys school have punishments for that time of thing? like i never skipped a class cuz the teacher will know and call you parents and there will be consequences i don't know maybe I was weird to me it was like this is the natural order of things.

[@LittleMissAcey]

SuperKing604 It's not that I'm bad in school. I've skipped school or anything like that. And my grades are pretty good, I've a B or A- in all of my classes. It's just I have a hard doing homework and projects.

[@arim.2403]

John is me and Hank is my younger sister.

[@JoleneGov]

Same here.

[@krschu00]

Hank is all our little sister

[@michellea3825]

same :/

[@johannabonana5306]

Someone needs to pick up those forks

[@clellieirwin2155]

+

[@rayannashaw4972]

John Green is probably the most relatable author in history.

[@kamaxox123]

We've heard snippets from that report card in another vlogbrothers video. It gave me some serious deja vu. Still hilarious though

[@estellet1406]

I think we've also seen the John puppet...

[@Neha71580]

Which video was that?? I really gotta watch that one too!

[@estellet1406]

I can't remember... I'm pretty sure it was an older one from 2009 or something.

[@kamaxox123]

might it have been beany john? It was definitely during his last office reorganization which does lead me to think you're right about 2009, since that's when they were preparing for Henry

[@erical1808]

It was "I was a child poet. And a bad one".

[@shannonfoley9513]

that last part about destiny being not determined by high school or even college made me sob like theres no tomorrow. thats something that has been super anxiety provoking for me recently. this video was perfectly timed to my life wow. thank you so much. i can not even thank you enough. thank you (if you see this).

[@LauraB163]

I'm a youth mentor and nerdfighter. This is the first time Ive seen this video and I think itll be a great one to show my youth. Its something we all need to hear I think. As always, thanks John.

[@milalovesmae]

I've been feeling like a bit a slacker/failure lately in school. Everyone is stressed out right now and working really hard, and I am working, just not at THAT rate. The video really cleared up my high school view of myself from another much clearer perspective, this video was great timing for me

[@ErinsHoose]

I've not long finished writing a list of things I wish I could tell my high school self (for a video, not for some random fun :P) and I love this. Near the end of high school, I felt pressured to decide RIGHT THEN AND THERE what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, panicked and decided to do psychology at uni, even though I wasn't sure if I wanted to go to uni. Ended up hating it and dropped out in my second year. I'm now working for Alzheimer Scotland, which I love, and probably wouldn't have ended up doing if I hadn't dropped out. I still feel like I don't have a clue what I want to do with my life, but it's not as scary anymore.

[@paeden5431]

I'll be honest, in the past you rubbed me the wrong way but with seeing your constant work ethic, the adhd videos and now this; i've grown a ton of respect for you. Not that really means much, coming from some random KZbin comment but for others out there, I think John is pretty legit and is worth listening to.

[@r.eonholt7257]

You know, I was a C/D student in high school. I felt the same way as John. I never went to college, but I excelled in other areas. I am only 3 years younger than John and at 39 I have been in IT and Retail Management, a Network Engineer(CCNA Collaboration) for Verizon Wireless and currently a Systems Admin in both Windows(MCSA) and Linux(RHCSA) for a company I'll leave nameless. I really think that we were just bad at structured education, but left to our own devices, we found our passion.

[@itrytohelpp]

I conquered Highschool. I never strayed far than the letter B. but lately I've been feeling defeated by college. Defeated to the point like a C will be that bright light at the end of the tunnel because lately John, I haven't been acing it so D it is. Doomed. I mean I don't like C's either John and I've been so confused for awhile on why this is happening to me. I didn't feel normal anymore and with this video, cheesy enough I feel as if that oncoming microbiology test result I am expecting later won't be as bad anymore because it's really not the end of the world. I am better than any damn letter grade and I'll know it. Thank you.

[@VampiricVolt]

What classes did you take in high school and why did you take them? Honestly, I know many people who have 4.0 - 5.0 GPAs yet I personally feel as if college will eat them up. I am currently taking advanced English classes and some of my peers (the ones taking normal classes) who have 4.0s hardly know how to write correctly. They understand the grammar, yet rhetorical style alludes them. Learning to properly write a twenty page research paper with your own personal, yet official style (that is what I am currently doing) will benefit anybody more than simply having an A will. I can't speak for you or for your college life (as I am merely a sophomore in high school) but taking rigorous classes and having a mediocre grade will benefit a student more than any A will in my opinion. Of course it is quintessential (at least at my school) to have a combination of both. I wish you the best of luck in your collegiate escapades!

[@xSoupyTwist]

Sounds like me dude. I had to take some time off and re-evaluate what was going on, and pretty much I burnt out. Hard. And I was too stubborn to admit it. It took some tough love threatening from my advisor for me to finally admit that I needed a break. So I took that break, had a blast doing various film and TV things, went back to school with a different major. And for the first time since I started university, I'm finally enjoying college. And I'm a senior. And I can admit to myself and am planning for a couple years off before continuing to med school or maybe something else.

[@amandadube156]

I'm not doing well in college, which is confusing and frustrating because I don't have a social life and I don't really have any hobbies. I just go to class, come home, and study until I go to bed. I switched my major to physics following a year and a half of studying english--which makes 0 sense, I know! But I was coming up against the question of a career, and was waking up to the fact that I wasn't actually god's gift to the modern vampire novel. (Yeah, vampire! Embarassing, right? XD) I got tore apart during workshops and it was a massive blow to my ego. The idea of creating anything for a living got to be so scary that I hit the math books. I enjoy my studies: the challenges and rewards of learning physics are a rush. But my classes don't like me. I struggle for C's. Even though I had to repeat several classes, I don't want to be a quitter. Now I'm getting to be 3, 3 1/2 years in, ages behind with a dismal GPA but feeling like it's too late to change course again. Besides, I wouldn't know what to pick even if I had a magic wish. I feel cheated by my community. Doing what everyone says is the right thing has not gotten me anything but complete and utter stagnation. Ulgh! So uh, anyway... hope my pity party makes you feel less alone, itrytohelp.^^

[@amandadube156]

xSoupyTwist That's a really cool story, congratulations! :)

[@ashleymoonstarsxo]

College can definitely be stressful. But as long as you earn your degree and keep trying, it won't even matter what your grades were. Keep your head up! You are definitely not alone

[@beth1155]

This made me feel a lot better about school. I really needed this video today.

[@luciabee]

C:

[@Guruthosa]

I was such a good high school student and now in law school I am average at best. Sometimes I feel so inadequate because it feels like I will never be great at something again. But the truth is that I still have enough time to study something else after if I want to. It will be hell to tell my parents. But you are allowed to change your mind, you're allowed to change, period. You do not owe other people the person that you used to be.

[@mimig7251]

Found this video in the week before year 11 exams. I am genuinely shocked at how relatable this video was. It gives me hope that maybe I might be successful even if i don't do that well in my classes.

[@hannahjihyun]

I personally needed this. High school isn't destiny... I guess I will learn from my mistakes.

[@maryhorn7734]

i just graduated high school and have been feeling super guilty for not reaching my potential as a student. i mostly got Bs and Cs, a couple As, which isn't too bad but i wish i enjoyed my classes more, put more effort in, etc. even in classes with subject matter i was pretty interested in, i struggled to focus the way i wish i did. i was too careless and struggled to make friends too. and now it's hard for me to move on when college is starting online during the pandemic. but thank you for this john, it made me feel a little better and it can be hard to remind myself that my experience won't mean everything.

[@cuetziezz]

It must have been nice to have teachers who actually believed in you rather than one who are constantly preparing you for your "inevitable failure

[@mammamoonchild1843]

Thank you. Thank you, thank you. Thank you! And just like that your words have saved my life again John. When will you stop saving my life? When will I stop needing it?

[@dennyg727]

John, you may not notice this comment, but that's OK by me. This video came up as a video I should watch. So I did, since I was curious to see it. I'm a teacher, and I just shared this video with a high schooler, one who has always just slid by. She's got immense potential, and I said to her in the email with the link to this video: "Your potential means nothing if it is not put into use. Let's use it together." The amount of respect for your teachers much down the line gives me hope during a week when I feel my job is pointless. You have also been a teacher for me in many ways, helping me to realize that being vulnerable is a major part of being an effective teacher, reminding my students that being my most unabashed self is how to be great. Everything else follows. Thank you.

[@PocketSizedOwlHikari]

I was a complete shit student in high school. I had to do to class because the county I went to school in was VERY strict about attendance. But since I couldn't skip class, I just slept most of the time. I never did my homework or big projects, I used sparknotes more than should be legal, and I never studied. I got mostly A's and B's with a few C's every now and then (in the classes that had the most homework assignments). My parents never pushed me and I didn't feel the need to push myself. I excelled in math and science (because those classes had no homework or the teacher never checked our homework). One thing that stood out to me was one time my math teacher who... the best way to describe him is Dr. Gregory House as a high school math teacher (lol), one day mentioned that he got C's in his high school math classes. But he's a genius and has never gotten a problem wrong in class while teaching. High school isn't everything and it's a very poor indicator of one's strengths and abilities.

[@caseyhamm4292]

i remember our AP us history teacher showing us this in the third quarter, while i was struggling in all my classes. i got a 5 on that test, best in the class. as a future history teacher, i will never forget this and there will be plenty of 16 year olds seeing this video when i graduate

[@salemkitty99]

I teared up a little during this video. Being a high school freshman, I often feel like just a screw up. These videos of yours, both you and Hank, give me hope. Thanks again.

[@queenthinng4822]

I was genuinely on the verge of tears watching this video. Thank you so much.

[@NadiahAiman]

Dear John. Thank you so much for this video. It comes off to me as such a surprise. I've always watched you hosting crash course and vlogbrothers explain, and your sophistication and clarity of thought make me think, gosh… this is the smartest guy in the world. You're amazing at what you do. However on a more personal level, this particular video was so meaningful for me because -- despite being an above average school student academically -- I've been doing really badly in college this past year. I attend nearly all my classes and put a lot of time and effort into studying for my exams but the result is usually disappointing. It is a great mystery to me. I often wonder if I am stupid, if my brain cells are regressing. It drains everything out of me and takes a huge toll on my confidence, I've become a different person. People have often told me that they look up to me for being intelligent and knowing so much randomness, but it has gotten harder for me to genuinely believe such things. But I feel like this has made a difference to how I see myself. I feel like maybe despite my circumstances, I can beat them. Maybe I'll take those lucky forks in the road, and find myself becoming (as remotely) as awesome as you. My heart is filled with hope… A hope that I've been struggling to find all year. Thank you John.

[@Seaton6017]

I can't even say how much this resonated with me. As a 26 year old who was also a "high school screw up" (my grades were similar to yours, I was a 'C student' in Academic Decathlon, and I DIDN'T PLACE ANYTHING, and I was also under the impression that HS determined my entire destiny), I can look back and say that nothing turned out like I imagined or was pressured to believe it would be. I am now in my final quarter at the #9 public university and I'm in the top 2% of 5,000 Letters and Sciences students. Take that, 2.1 High School GPA! Sure, it took me 8 years to get my BA, but I learned and gained SO MUCH in those 8 years, and I will be graduating alongside my peers with more life experience and job skills, woohoo! It's so important that young people be reminded of these things, and I wish I'd had this video when I was 17.

[@abdullahenani9670]

Hank represents me academically, John represents me mentally, best of both worlds?

[@MarioTheStoryTeller]

Hey awesome people of the internet. Stay awesome for your cool youtuber Mario:)

[@MarioTheStoryTeller]

:)

[@MarioTheStoryTeller]

Loving the youtube peeps:)

[@Psycho69People]

Sorry but here we praise John :D

[@arsec42]

we all know you just want people to like your comments and watch your videos. You can stop now.

[@Psycho69People]

FlyingPotatoOfPoop Yes, HAIL JOHN!

[@tedijevtic6756]

why can't all adults be like this? THANK YOU.

[@Tigermond1]

If everyone was like John, he wouldn't be special anymore.

[@tedijevtic6756]

Tigermond1 true... but he'd still have the best beard ever.

[@hanak5479]

Tigermond1 something something existence of brocolli doesn't affect the taste of cholcolate

[@Tigermond1]

Amal Jey Well, that is actually one of the very few points in TFIOS where I disagree. :D Maybe it doesn't affect the taste of chocolate but it affects the way we perceive that taste. Also, I like brocolli. :D

[@randafoote2341]

This is one of my favorite vlogbrothers videos. There are so many times when I've felt like a screw up throughout high school, and now that I'm graduating in a few weeks, it feels good to be reminded that I can improve from here.

[@HannahBerg1]

my hero. THanks for being so real and offering so much hope/being so inspiring.

[@andreabreckenridge5680]

I wonder how many times he has mentioned his bronze medal in economics.

[@iuhiac548]

Thank god high school isn't destiny.MADE ME RELIEVED BUT I STILL HAVE TO GIVE IT MY BEST SHOT TOO.

[@rach6043]

This is so important. When I first watched this video, I was a sophomore in high school. I was awkward, scared, and constantly stressed out about making sure my grades were perfect. Everyone would always to tell us that high school was supposed to be the best time of our lives. However they also drilled it into our heads that we need to study hard, because we wont get into a good college without good grades. How is it possible to enjoy anything when you're that stressed out about grades? But even then, John's video calmed my anxiety as a sophomore. And now after just graduating from high school earlier this month, I finally understand more than ever just how right John was. High school is such a small part your life. You feel like you'll never graduate and that it'll last forever... until you finally do. You'll survive, and you'll be ok. Your life will be so much better than it was in high school. Because life isnt determined by your test scores, even if they are exceptional, or what other people think of you, no matter how "cool" they may seem. And life outside of high school is such a freeing experience because honestly, you can be whoever and do whatever you want unlike high school. So to all my underclassman and rising seniors out there: Don't worry too much, enjoy the ride when you can, and most importantly listen to John, because he knows what he's talking about.

[@queennomers]

These reminders of who we are and the infinite options of who we can become is why I continue to watch your blogs! Thanks John!

[@BlueHazyDreams]

I really needed to hear that John; thank you.

[@brwneyedgirlx19]

I was so happy when I figured out that my high school years were not, as I was frequently told, the "best years of my life". College was much better. And I'm hoping there will still be many amazing years to come since I'm 24 and having peaked already would be incredibly depressing. I'm glad to know my 20s are not destiny too. Otherwise, this might become potentially problematic. Thanks John!

[@tymki]

Thank you John, I really needed this video today. My parents were straight A students, my older sis used to cry when she got Bs and I'm doing my second year of University for the second time (not the most academic, but hey I have good friends here) and the pressure's building and this video and a good long cry were just what the doctor ordered. Despite everything my dad and his family tell me I know that grades don't determine all and it's amazing that someone like you knows that too. I'm rewatching Crash Course videos at the moment and you just seem so smart and I really look up to you and Hank as role models. I learn so much when I procrastinate by watching your videos. XD I wish I could do or send you guys something to show you my thanks because you've helped me out in so many ways I can't really put into words. I'll try my best to not forget to be awesome. :)

[@bkaddictjk]

Thank you so much John. I have no idea this happened, how did you manage to post this video just when I really needed to watch something like this? I cannot say thank you enough. In high school, teachers are always showing "inspirational videos" of famous people that worked hard and "succeeded" in life, with the message that "if everyone works hard, this will happen!" It's really nice to see someone that shares that life can turn out to be pretty awesome even if you're not absolutely perfect.

[@kimberlyyohn7471]

As a high school teacher who often thinks "what am I doing wrong that I can't get so-and-so to try", who constantly feels like nothing I do will ever be enough for all my kids, this is a good reminder that no teacher can reach every kid or make them care. Some kids just won't and, whatever state mandates say, that's okay. Doesn't make us wrong, doesn't make them bad kids, and neither side are failures if we can't find that magic formula or make that magic grade. They'll get there, in their own time, and they will make lives that are worth living. Thanks for this John.

[@S0nder]

Thanks John. I feel something called hope.

[@Patdbvbluvr]

I loved this! You John Green have made me feel something once again! High school utterly sucks but hearing that you didn't do too hot in it either makes me feel better. You are one of the people I look up to the most and hearing that you weren't perfect but still had someone to believe in you made my day a million times better :)

[@lilykenfield6954]

I know this was posted five years ago, but I needed this today. THANK YOU, John. Genuinely, I cannot express how much I needed to someone say this. ❤

[@OverDramaticPumpkins]

I'm showing this to my high school students tomorrow to remind them that this isn't the end. Thank you for sharing this. :)

[@ericwright7643]

It is so enlightening to realize that you are not alone.

[@namitaa]

i agree

[@CaseyMagazine]

I'm so glad that I'm catching up on all of the videos right now because this one really helped comfort me and calm me down. It's summer vacation now so I'm a bit footloose and fancy free but I'm also going into my junior year of high school and I have to worry about 3 AP classes, college visits, ACTS, SATS, and the list keeps growing. In a time where it feels like I'm stuck in a flooded cave and I have to keep holding my breath, this video gives me an air pocket to calm down and collect myself in. So thank you for that. It's three months later and this video is still helping people. Thank you.

[@meh4177]

John's videos provide a sense of familiarity that comforts me. His frankness makes me feel more. Well not human, but definitely less of a failure or screw up. Thanks dude, wish you the very best. Most sincerely.

[@BlackScarabZ]

Huh. This makes me feel better about the grades I got in high school. John Green did worse than me, and now he's a NY Times bestselling author.

[@abstruseglitch]

Can I get "destiny is something that happens only in retrospect" on a shirt?

[@TakuroSpirit]

This made me really emotional. I'm entering my senior year of high school in a couple of weeks, and it feels like the end of everything. My parents have been telling me the same things you said in the video, John, and my teachers say they love me, but I just feel like everything's going to go downhill. Like my fate has been decided by my first two years of school (which were less lackluster than yours). Thank you, John. Thank you very much.

[@keatonluisa]

I come back to this video a lot. It gives a lot of hope in under four minutes.