Grades, Achievements and Psychologists

I have taken one psychology course in my life. That was enough. Now psychiatry is treating someone with a mental problem. Complex, and often resulting in drugs to mask the issue. Psychology seems to me to be the studying of rats and then applying it to humans say in the workplace.

Now along comes this NY Times fellow who states:

Getting straight A’s requires conformity. Having an influential career demands originality. In a study of students who graduated at the top of their class, the education researcher ... found that although they usually had successful careers, they rarely reached the upper echelons. “Valedictorians aren’t likely to be the future’s visionaries,” ... explained. “They typically settle into the system instead of shaking it up.” Straight-A students: Recognize that underachieving in school can prepare you to overachieve in life. So maybe it’s time to apply your grit to a new goal — getting at least one B before you graduate.

Now I could hardly agree, but it all depends on where you are studying. I spent time at Manhattan College, a third rate school for first generation Catholic students in New York. Being taught by Christian Brothers whose goal was to recite the text and expect your to reply accordingly was shall we say useless. MIT then opened my eyes. After the first exam I saw what the game was. Don't think hard, think smart. Feel the answer based upon the principles, be able to intuit where you are going. In fact the game was just that, a game.

Have I hired C students, yes but one always questions what they wasted their time on back then and what they will waste it on when you are paying them.

This advice is sure to get you nowhere. But after all it is from a psychologist. Go back to your rats.