I spent four years being the perfect student. Top of my class, teacher’s favorite, acing every exam. I thought I was winning at life , felt like I was doing everything right but I was wrong. Painfully wrong.
Everyone told me I was doing great. But “great” in college doesn’t automatically mean “great” in career.
When I graduated with my impressive GPA and glowing recommendations, I walked into the job market expecting doors to fly open, Instead, I realized that my perfect scores meant very little. They barely got a second glance.
All those compliments didn’t translate to workplace competence. I had theoretical knowledge, but I lacked practical wisdom. All those academic excellence didn’t prepare me for the actual demands of a job. By the time I graduated, I realized I was starting from scratch in terms of practical skills.
I didn’t know the Basic Things. I had no idea how to function in a real workplace, meet a deadline, manage expectations, use the modern tools and software of today! I was literally competing with 1st and 2nd semester juniors, while then i was quite ashamed. Me – a fresh graduate and former topper, competing for the same positions as students still in their early semesters.
Those students who barely came to college, the ones teachers thought were “not a good students”—I thought so too—are now earning a lot more than me. They were the smart ones. They focused on gaining practical skills while I was chasing perfect grades. Thank you for making me realized, even later the harsh truth.
What I learned is Just passing is okay. What’s not okay is graduating with zero practical experience, no matter how brilliant your grades are. Stop being teacher favorite, seeking validation, and stop being the topper.
Advice To You
If you’re in college right now, don’t make my mistake. Don’t let grades become your only measure of success. Do-not wait until “the right time”. Get out there. Do internships. Make mistakes. Build things. Meet people. Get your hands dirty with real work. Yes, complete your degree if you’re already enrolled—but don’t let it be your only focus. Because when you step into the job market, no one’s going to ask if you were the topper. They’re going to ask what you can do.
If you can balance being a topper and having practical skills, that’s great. But don’t force yourself. Don’t set impossible expectations like “I need to be a topper.” That pressure will exhaust you and destroy you from the inside.
Let yourself be imperfect. Don’t set your standards so high that you miss out on what actually matters—real experience, real skills, real growth.
Experience beats excellence Every single time.