What's in a grade? Not a cliché; not a rhetorical question. I mean, really, WHAT'S IN A GRADE?
What is it about a grade that can say something about our mental capabilities, shortcomings, laziness, efficiency, etc.?
What is it about the three marks that appear in the form of an "A" or "F," and all those alphabets in between, that can determine our futures. I mean, really, WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
What about the new grading system? If I'm an "A" student, am I any smarter if I make an "A+," any dumber if I make an "A-?" Really, WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?
Who is this omniscient, application-reviewing, transcript-overseeing, spell-checking (our resumes and job applications) god we have created in our minds throughout our academic careers. Is this entity the lord of our futures, ruler of our destinies, or are we?
I remember when an old professor of mine used to tell my classmates and I about how much more important a healthy lifestyle is than grades, or jobs, or careers.
He would say something like, "So you failed a class. So what? You're probably better off in the long run. So maybe you'll even drop out of Wake -- transfer to Duke. You'll probably do well at Duke and become a professional...in whatever field "Blue Devils" are professional (Ha, Ha!). The point is, you'll live well." Another professor once told me this, "Ten years from now, who's gonna care that you have an "F" on your transcript?" Incidentally, I don't have an "F" on my transcript -- PRAISE THE LORD! Do you feel what I'm saying?
Although our institution prides itself on doing things "for the sake of humanity," I have often felt that I was graded "pro humilitate" ("for the sake of humiliation"
I mean, let's be for real. At times, grades are given in reward and in punishment.
We often tend to regard the lower grades as punishment. We often punish ourselves when we don't receive the higher grades.
My message to you is this: DON'T PUNISH YOURSELVES! It's not worth it. Jesus Christ asks, "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul (Mark 8:36)?" This IS a rhetorical question.
So, the next time you are fretting over a course you're in danger of failing, remember this: there is at least one professor on this campus who never received a high school diploma -- and neither did Michael J. Fox, a rich and famous actor, whose autographed poster from one of his most famous films hangs three floors below the office that published this article!
SAVE THE QUAD!
Clinton Wilburn
Senior
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