Doing the smart thing
Is it wrong to be proud of your intelligence?
A few years ago, the socially acceptable answer would have been ‘yes’: achieving good grades apparently made you a ‘nerd’, and that’s not cool. Cool, it seems, is reserved for anything that gets retweets on Twitter. The youth of today were so brainwashed into abiding by social rules, the smart among us felt judged when the line, “Wow, you’re really smart” passed from a fellow student’s lips. Playing it cool, you might have mused humbly, “I like to think so.” You felt a part of some intellectual minority, who were discriminated against for actually doing their homework.
But the tides have changed. A friend of mine commented that the ‘smart’ kids are now the most popular. Her hypothesis is yet to be proved, but it does say something about the disappearance of the stigma. Finally intelligence is regarded as an admirable quality, as it should be. Those who achieve good grades, not necessarily through intelligence, but through hard work, help to motivate other students into achieving their full potential.
I’m sure the new head teacher would agree that this is a step in the right direction. Ms Barlow claims a lack of motivation is the most difficult barrier for young people to overcome on the road to success. Talking about this issue, it was abundantly clear that Ms Barlow has a genuine interest in the success of young people. She made a point of referring to her own teenage years, to highlight her empathy with the worries of today’s teenagers. It was reassuring to see that we are being led by a real human being and not a title. Not simply a figurehead, she is real, genuine, and inspiring. Classy, intelligent, and relentlessly positive. Ms Barlow continuously commented on the potential she sees in Heathfield, and by that she means the capability she sees in you. Every. Single. Student.
You have the skills to achieve good grades; you are capable of achieving more than you think you can; you are able to fulfil your full potential.
“The hardest barriers to unpick are the ones students put in front of themselves.” This is raw, and sadly true. Ms Barlow and the rest of the staff are here to help you, but she cannot do that if you won’t help yourself. “I can’t do it,” isn’t in your vocabulary, but “I won’t do it,” is.
This would be the perfect opportunity for a little anecdote about my struggles with GCSE Maths. Wait, that’s not an anecdote, that’s something felt by thousands of teenagers across the country. My point is, you can achieve anything if you work hard, and your teachers – and especially your new head teacher, are there to help you.
So never doubt it: being smart and being intelligent are desirable. Do not believe that you are not cool, or popular, or unattractive, for achieving good grades. Don’t give up if the going gets tough and bail out looking for short-term cool in haircuts and fashion. You don’t have to be a genius to succeed - in my experience hard work often supersedes intelligence. Put as much effort into your studies as you do into perfecting your hair. Flaunt your good style, your good sense and your good grades.
Emma Baker, Year 13
A few years ago, the socially acceptable answer would have been ‘yes’: achieving good grades apparently made you a ‘nerd’, and that’s not cool. Cool, it seems, is reserved for anything that gets retweets on Twitter. The youth of today were so brainwashed into abiding by social rules, the smart among us felt judged when the line, “Wow, you’re really smart” passed from a fellow student’s lips. Playing it cool, you might have mused humbly, “I like to think so.” You felt a part of some intellectual minority, who were discriminated against for actually doing their homework.
But the tides have changed. A friend of mine commented that the ‘smart’ kids are now the most popular. Her hypothesis is yet to be proved, but it does say something about the disappearance of the stigma. Finally intelligence is regarded as an admirable quality, as it should be. Those who achieve good grades, not necessarily through intelligence, but through hard work, help to motivate other students into achieving their full potential.
I’m sure the new head teacher would agree that this is a step in the right direction. Ms Barlow claims a lack of motivation is the most difficult barrier for young people to overcome on the road to success. Talking about this issue, it was abundantly clear that Ms Barlow has a genuine interest in the success of young people. She made a point of referring to her own teenage years, to highlight her empathy with the worries of today’s teenagers. It was reassuring to see that we are being led by a real human being and not a title. Not simply a figurehead, she is real, genuine, and inspiring. Classy, intelligent, and relentlessly positive. Ms Barlow continuously commented on the potential she sees in Heathfield, and by that she means the capability she sees in you. Every. Single. Student.
You have the skills to achieve good grades; you are capable of achieving more than you think you can; you are able to fulfil your full potential.
“The hardest barriers to unpick are the ones students put in front of themselves.” This is raw, and sadly true. Ms Barlow and the rest of the staff are here to help you, but she cannot do that if you won’t help yourself. “I can’t do it,” isn’t in your vocabulary, but “I won’t do it,” is.
This would be the perfect opportunity for a little anecdote about my struggles with GCSE Maths. Wait, that’s not an anecdote, that’s something felt by thousands of teenagers across the country. My point is, you can achieve anything if you work hard, and your teachers – and especially your new head teacher, are there to help you.
So never doubt it: being smart and being intelligent are desirable. Do not believe that you are not cool, or popular, or unattractive, for achieving good grades. Don’t give up if the going gets tough and bail out looking for short-term cool in haircuts and fashion. You don’t have to be a genius to succeed - in my experience hard work often supersedes intelligence. Put as much effort into your studies as you do into perfecting your hair. Flaunt your good style, your good sense and your good grades.
Emma Baker, Year 13
