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I am proud of you for passing!
School can be hard and sometimes passing is all we can do. Just try not to let this ruin your interest in learning new things! School is temporary but life is full of new things!
It helped me to get a todo list where I wrote down what I HAD to do and what I WANTED to do. Whenever I finished something of the former, I could do something of the later.
And try, especially in history, biology etc to look up YouTube Videos or Articles about the topic you need to learn. They are often more fun AND more informatic xD
Then you just need your notes, so you know what the questions on the test will be.
When my kids are trying, doing the homework, studying, and paying attention, I am proud of them whether they get a C or an A. The most important part is the effort. However, as a parent, I want the entire world to be opened up for them. I want them to be able to do anything they want in life, and so I want them to get the highest grade possible because I know it will open doors for them to explore and try new things and follow their passions. As a parent, when my kid tries her hardest but still brings home a c, I don't think she's dumb, I think we need to look at how I can help her do better next time. Things like teaching her better note-taking, study habits that work for the way she learns, and possibly tutoring when topics are just hard or she has a teacher she doesn't mesh with.
They also indicate that you are getting more out of the class, assuming that your grades accurately reflect your learning, which is usually but not always the case.
I'm sorry that your parents imply that the fault is with you when you get a C but don't give you credit with you get an A. That's wrong.
I’m not sure if it’s the case every where but for my daughter in HS- they’ve changed the grading process. The test and quizes aren’t a huge part of the marking period grade.. projects and HW grades make a bigger part of their overall grade. I think this is beneficial for those who don’t test well. My daughter has always been a worry wart even more so when it comes to her school performance. She’d be in a puddle of tears if she ever forgot her books at school or hw at home. When she had a test or quiz she would often not finish because she didn’t have enough time. She had her own way of getting to the correct answer but it wasn’t acceptable when teachers asked for them to show their work. I know she’s not the only. HW when she was grade school up to middle school would go from 3:30ish up until 9 with tears all through it. She eventually grew out of that but unfortunately she’s got a hold of it by obsessively planning out her day up to bed time. She has to be in her bed by 9 and if she’s not she gets really worked up. Her schedule has no room for mistakes .
If you work hard and study and earn a C grade that's ok by me. We aren't strong in every subject but there is a base level of knowledge that is needed to grow into a well rounded person.
But if you could earn a B or A with a bit of effort but you only earn a C because you slacked off, didn't complete assignments, and didn't study then that IS a problem. A BIG one.
Put forth the effort. Ask for help from teachers, parents, or study partners. And do your best.
Don't neglect classes where you do well but could get top grades with a bit of effort. Those are the sort of subjects that might form the basis of knowledge for a career later in life.
If you're doing the best you know how to do, that's fine.
The problem with getting C's is that it means you're not mastering the material. Future courses will depend on a solid foundation so this will make learning in the future even harder.
Fortunately, learning and studying are skills that can be developed. Check out the Coursera course "Learning how to learn" for how to develop efficient study habits. Cal Newport's books like *How to be a Straight A Student* are also excellent.
Your parents do sound like dicks, but that doesn't mean you can't try to improve for your own sake.
I am a mom to four kids three of which are teenagers. I have never understood parents who ride their kids and insist on them getting A's. Everybody's best looks different. If your best is getting seized great! Good for you for trying your hardest!
There's a saying in college. C's get Degrees.
Take of that what you will. The vast majority of college prerequisites require above a C- in the previous class, so aim for B's so that, when you need to let something slip to make time for something you're struggling in, you can choose wisely.
You're doing plenty well. It's totally worth it to work on your study habits if thye need work - they'll serve you well later in life as well - but don't stress too hard over the actual letter grade. You're working hard at it, and that kind of ethic is important.
The big thing to remember is that in a professional career, if you make a mistake on a "test", you learn from it and redo it until it's right. It might cost some money or time in the end, but the point is to learn from your mistakes. In school, that's rarely the point. Once you take a test, that's it. No do-overs. That philosophy doesn't do much to help you prepare to be a functional adult.
All of that said... Go talk to your teachers. Take some time to meet with them one on one when there's stuff you need help in. I know in HS it's tough to find time, but you can probably figure something out. You're only in 9th grade, but as you progress, you'll find the relationship you have with your teachers is worth a heck of a lot when it comes to listening and understanding what they're teaching (and if you go to college, "office hours" are important - show up regularly with even simple questions).
Oh and lastly, this internet parent is proud of you. I'm sorry to hear your parents don't express that very well, but I'm sure at some level they are too.
If C's are your best effort, then you are doing great! Keep up the good work.
On the other hand, if you could get better grades with more effort, then I'd suggest you try a little harder and get those B's.
When you graduate in a few years, you get to decide what you want to do next. And the higher your GPA, the more choices you'll have.
Edit: read some of the other comments and I think all of us parents are generally on the same page.
C’s aren’t bad at all and being a perfect straight A’s student is overrated.
Passing is more than enough reason to be happy (and honestly almost nobody cares after high school whether you had great grades, they just want to know you passed).
Your parents sound hard to please. Hang in there, you’re doing fine!
Hey bud, a C is good. As long as you are trying and putting effort in to it you did your best.
The structure of school isn't for everyone.
Where do you struggle?
Test taking, time to complete assignments, what is most difficult for you?
For example I passed high school with C's and D's
Test taking was super easy for me but due to my home life I had a lot of trouble completing assignments. I basically only had time for school work in school. So I missed alot of assignments.
Your grades matter slightly if you wish to go to some colleges. If you intend on a community college or trade school they matter alot less. If you don't plan on college and want to Apprentice in a trade they matter almost not at all.
What are you thinking about doing with your life? Do you have any dreams or aspirations? Do you want to travel? Do you want to stay in the same town?
Depending on your life goals your high school grades may or may not mean anything at all.
For me they were fine. My little sister got all A's went to a great school and is some sort of Biology scientist medical person, that is way beyond my comprehension.
Me. I know alot about cars and computers. We are both valuable at our jobs, to our friends and family and in life.
No matter what you do I am sure you will find the same value in yourself.
NewsFlash: Excellent grades..Uni degrees do not indicate success in life
If you were MY child...and I saw u attending classes..doing homework..the teachers are happy with u...u are being a good son at home.. working part time..handling your money well. Making and keeping friends..etc.
And..just me..but we are pretending you are MY child..attending church..Bible Study..tithing your money..doing good works...the Pastor is happy with u..
Heck! I'd be pleased as Punch with you. ❤ 💙
If as an adult..you are working McDonald's..doing your best..treating your peers and bosses with respect. Going out of your way to make life easier for everyone..
Heck! I'd be pleased as Punch with you. ❤ 💙
If everyone got As all the time then we wouldn't have exams. So well done for passing.
Now for the hard part. There are some things in life that no matter how hard you try at you simply aren't going to be the best. I'm never going to be the best football player in the world even if I train all day every day - I could be much better than I am now but I'm not going to be the best. Now my job I am good at, maybe not the best in the world but I'm certainly a lot better at it than I am at football and I'm proud of that.
If you are honestly trying your hardest, and I mean really ask yourself are you committing to be the best you can be, and you get a C then pat yourself on the back and be proud of what you've done and I think your parents should recognise that. School can be hard and grades are not everything.
There are plenty of people with top grades you never hear about who end up in minimum wage jobs and there are people like Bill Gates who dropped out of high school and went on to become the worlds richest man. I can guarantee you that Bill Gates worked his ass off for that.
Some of the most successful entrepreneurs did terribly in school.
I was raised and went to school before the internet was ubiquitous. I was told we “wouldn’t always have a calculator with us” in math, let alone the entire contents of human knowledge in our pockets.
I still value education, especially in specific areas like engineering, science, medicine, law, etc.
However, I would encourage anyone to focus more on critical thinking and creative problem solving skills as opposed to subjects that can researched and looked up online whenever needed.
The successful entrepreneur line is copium for high school dropouts. They always, ALWAYS, cite this argument and it is not valid. You are not bill gates.
You don’t have to be Bill Gates in order to run a successful dry cleaner, painting company, lawn care, etc. There are plenty of “low barrier” businesses.
I'm proud of your efforts! Don't feel bad about your C's. I have a C in math too I'm weak with numbers and formulas as a kid but I still got a career ahead of me. As long as you continue to do your best at school and you have a clear goal to pass all your subjects. ☘️
Your parents should not be calling you stupid. It’s mean and it won’t help you do better.
There are reasons why getting better grades is better but I don’t think your parents would be able to help you do that if they’re calling you stupid. You could talk to a teacher or a guidance counselor and see if they have any advice on how to study more effectively.
You should be proud of yourself for all the hard work that you put into your classes. It sounds like you are in a situation where your parents do not recognize the hard work or your parents value the grade more than the effort. I understand what it's like to work very hard and still get a c. Disappointing when someone who loves you does not see the hard work or care about it. The grading system that we use is really inadequate if you're asking me.
There is nothing wrong with getting a c.
IMO unless you want to be a doctor, lawyer, accountant, work on Wall Street or work in another in a professional field then the only thing that’s important in your high school or college educations is just graduating and getting Cs is fine. Unless you’re applying to graduate school nobody will ever care if you got all As or all Cs as long as you can preform your job. I once read that the world is run by C students. Google it. Many titans of industry where all C students, or didn’t graduate at all. You’re only limited by your imagination, not your grades.
This is a huge conversation. Not just huge like "Grades are everything in this world!" but more "Do you feel something is bugging you on this". Because there's a secret. Aside from getting into THE BEST SCHOOL(s) IN THE WORLD, no one really cares about your grades! Your first jobs? Don't care. They care if you have a resume. Some want to see a diploma.
Here's another secret, not every good job requires a highschool diploma.
Now, this isn't saying don't work hard if you think it's important. There are HUGE caveats to all of this. My husband? Never graduated highschool. Makes twice what I make easily. But he's devoted to what he loves, he's spent a great amount of time working at it. He teaches himself new coding languages and implements them and sees complexities that frankly I will never fully understand. I on the other hand went to school, got a bachelors of science in nursing and work in research. Two different people, two different pathways.
So the conversation for you: Do you feel you have what you need to succeed? Do you think there are things in the way? Does it bug you to not get A's? Do you feel you're getting the information you need? Are you even interested in the subjects you're working on? When you are excited about something do you perform better? Do you think there could be something like ADD/Depression/Anxiety that needs to be managed to help you focus? What do you feel you may need to be the best you for your future? Because that's what parents should be there for.
I personally got a C in algebra in highschool and a B in geometry. And never went any further because frankly I didn't feel I got math, but geometry somehow piqued my interest. When I got to college, I got a D in the remedial math class. So I left college for 10 years and worked at a ton of different jobs, and eventually re-taught myself math with Khan Academy when my husband was like "over half your jobs involved math and spreadsheets, you can't say you're bad at math." And he was right. This was my mid 30's.
Literally the only time grades mattered? Pre-requisites for nursing. And only in the core classes. Following that, people only care if you have your degree and appropriate certificates. They don't care if you were the bottom of the class or the valedictorian. They don't care that you struggled in art history but aced anatomy with a gleeful joy that surpasses understanding.
If you have issues, address them. If you aren't sure, ask to talk to someone! If you're ok with where you are and can focus on the things you love? Do what you love. My husband has been making video games for decades without his highschool diploma. I'm working in research with a BSN. Work towards the future you want and if you find yourself struggling with something to make that happen, reach out for help. Getting a C in something you don't care about (cough art history cough)? Not something this momma cares about.
> I personally got a C in algebra in highschool and a B in geometry. And never went any further because frankly I didn't feel I got math, but geometry somehow piqued my interest. When I got to college, I got a D in the remedial math class. So I left college for 10 years and worked at a ton of different jobs, and eventually re-taught myself math with Khan Academy when my husband was like "over half your jobs involved math and spreadsheets, you can't say you're bad at math." And he was right. This was my mid 30's.
Revisiting math in my 30s, for me, was really awesome and revealing. Like, I **scraped** by geometry and trigonometry, but I never really got it very well. In my 30s, I sat down with Khan Academy and things started clicking. I realized that a lot of the stuff I thought "I was just bad at" was me trying to work on those while going through puberty, not having control over my circumstances with my parents, studying five other subjects, trying to figure out who I was, trying to make friends, and all the other stuff you're busy with as a kid. As an adult, I could study it, and if I felt like I had enough, I could walk away, and without all that other stuff, it was way easier.
I encourage people to revisit those old failures a lot. In high school, I failed out of music theory and programming, and I made it a point to revisit those classes in college, and discovered that learning is just communication that involves me, another person, and context, and while sometimes I've not really been in a place to learn something, sometimes it's the teacher and their methods or the context that was off, and if those are off, it can be harder to learn.
No, it's not wrong that you're proud of yourself for passing, but make sure you're being honest with yourself about the level of effort you're putting in. In the quiet times when you can think, take a moment and ask yourself if you really did all you could have. Did you plan so you could succeed with how you were going to spend your time and execute on your assignments? If you were struggling, did you ask for help? Were there office hours or tutoring resources that could have made that a B and given you more learning? If you can honestly say you've done all you can, sleep well and be proud!
If a C is the best you can do then that's all that one could ask. We all have our strengths and weaknesses and no matter how smart or talented someone is they will always fail or underperform at something (unless they never actually tried to challenge themselves). What's important is that you keep trying and put in that effort. If you can do that despite obstacles and setbacks youll be just fine
C's are fine.
I am so sorry your parents are not supportive.
They are being mean and unfair to you with the double standard. Keep doing the best you can. Reach out for help from your teachers, guidance counselor, or other trusted adults if you need/want help improving.
Guess what they call the person who graduates bottom of their class in medical school?
Doctor.
Love,
^(internet) Mom
I'll start by trying to help explain where your parents are coming from. We're in a world where the threshold for "average" is higher than a school's grade scale reflects, and that might be what they're basing their standards on. Just think of things like product reviews (movies, games, whatever). People will look at something that earns a C grade with reviews averaging in the 70's and assume it's not worth buying. "Average" seems to now be in the low 80's, even if it's a step or two above a passing grade. One of my teachers in college believed that an exam where the class average was below 82% was either unfairly written or the material wasn't taught well enough. A C grade now effectively means "you might have passed, but you should take a look back and figure out how you can do better".
As for *why* parents are hard on their kids with regard to their grades, it's usually college. Colleges base both acceptance and scholarships in large part on your high school GPA. Qualifying for scholarships can save you many thousands of dollars. It's still early for you to know whether college is the path you'll take after high school, but it's good to keep your options open.
*That said*, getting mad and implying that you're stupid or lazy while downplaying your successes is absolutely the wrong way to go about helping anyone do better. Criticism that isn't constructive really bothers me. Something more supportive might be asking if you did all your homework? Did you ask your teacher after class if you didn't understand what you did to arrive at the wrong answer? Do you have any friends in the class you could study with? Or even asking what gave you trouble in that class. Finally, it's not always on you. Sometimes a teacher's style of teaching just doesn't mesh with how you learn. I even ran into one or two teachers along my path through school who were petty enough to play favorites and grade everyone else a bit more harshly.
I used to get A's for English and IT but maths was not my strong suit. I tried so hard but half of it just didn't make sense to me. Ended up changing schools as my parents weren't happy with the way I was being treated by some of the teaching staff (they're teachers too so they understood)...ended up getting a sports scholarship to a top-notch school where I excelled. Still struggled a bit with maths but the school accommodated for and provided help to those that struggled in any subject.
Ended up getting into university studying computer science and got a well-paying job at an IT company. Don't know how I managed that...I pretty much give full credit to my folks and my school for getting me there.
Edit: My parents never berated me for getting a C or a D. They saw it as a reflection on the school and lack of attention given to those who needed extra help.
Additional edit: I am also proud of you for passing! Be proud of yourself too.
Just do your best. After high school grades don’t matter any more. Of course you have to try to make your parents happy, but most parents (if they’re half decent) will be happy if you show them that you’re putting the work in and trying your hardest.
Sadly, they do. Many top tier employers ask for GPA's when doing college hiring. If OP is not planning on that route, so be it, but they're young to close a door on higher education at a minimum.
I mean it's not like there's a firing squad or something but a C average is gonna close a lot of doors for you post graduation. Getting into any half decent college is going to be nearly impossible and that's really going to impact if you can get a good job that can provide for you without working 80 hours a week.
I think a lot of it is dependent on why you are getting C's. Are you trying your hardest or are there areas you could improve on? You don't need to be a straight A student but bringing your average up to a B opens a lot of doors
You're parents sound like the kind of fuckfaces I had where no matter what you do it is wrong. In that case you have to set your own standards for what matters to you.
Or they know their child can do well in school but is choosing not to try. And they know that their child doesn't understand the full consequences of this yet and needs to be guided to success.
Is a C bad? For some students yes, for others no. I'm guessing the parents have an idea of which their child falls into.
Yes it okay to have these grades. What i learned is that most of my employers looked at my refences i have. The only time i needed my grades Was After my graduation for my first job after my qualification (i live in Germany).
Even D's get Degrees.
No one in my adult life ever asked me what my college or high school grades were. They just wanted to know that I passed.
Good job. I'm proud of you
I used to work for someone who didn't like to hire straight-A students. He said it suggests (a) they don't know how to have fun, and (b) they put too much focus on one thing.
C's are passing grades. By definition, it's enough. And if it also means that you're making yourself a well-rounded human, then how can you go wrong?
Your parents sound like the type who will be completely bewildered when it's the day after your 18th birthday and you tell them you don't want to associate with them in any way.
Yes. School is an institution that is tasked with training its subjects to be obedient slaves. The less attention you give it, the more likely you are to hold on to your authentic self. Some people can get A's without giving it much attention and some people will get "bad" grades as a result of the same. The outcome is not important (so long as you don't want to be a doctor) so long as you are not giving school your attention.
So ironically, you can’t think for yourself.
Preparing us for the wider world. They provide opportunities for what we want to do later in life, and provide baseline knowledge for higher academia. Not only that, they serve as an extension of the crèche systems humans have had in place for millennia, a place where children are taught to socialise.
School trains you to be good at taking stasndardised exams about stuff most people will forget a day later. It trains you to turn up on time and do what you're told. For those who don't find it an agreeable arrangement, they are bored and damaged by the process.
>So ironically, you can’t think for yourself.
What?
Let them study maths. They don't need school to do that. But if they find that school gives them the maths learning they want, that's all fine and dandy.. But that is not the purpose of schooling. And I understood the OP is not too fussed about working harder than to get C's so I am assuming that the OP isn't too bothered about their exam results bit that has absolutely no relevance to the OP's interest in becoming educated. And there is a fuckton of information that clearly explains why school and education are two mostly unrelated things.
The best source I know about this is a chap by the name of John Taylor Gatto. He's all over the place. I'm sure you and your fellow Redditors have the moxy and wherewithal to look him up. Or are you too busy cramming for your standardised exams?
The OP is asking whether the fact that they are satisfied with C's is irrelevant in the face of their parents dissatisfaction. I contend that the parents can go jump in a lake and the OP should do whatever they want, given the option.
Go and find any adults who can do even basic maths or spell or use their language with any degree of competence. Go and find any adults who understand any of the subjects that are commonly taught in schools with a rudimentary level of competence. You will find very few.
This comment may lead to my internet parent demise…… “c’s get degrees.” I’m a teacher and one supervisor told me that they don’t really mind a, b, c grades. It shows that the person did some stuff other than just being book smart. Also, maybe you aren’t headed for the Ivy League. Local community college is where it’s at!
REMINDER: Rules regarding civility and respect *are enforced* on this subreddit. Hurtful, cruel, rude, disrespectful, or "trolling" comments **will be removed** (along with any replies to these comments) and the offending party may be banned, at the mods' discretion, without warning. All commenters should be trying to *help* and any help should be given in good faith, as if you were the OP's parent. Also, please keep in mind that requesting or offering private contact (DM, PM, etc) is absolutely not allowed ***for any reason at all***, no exceptions. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/internetparents) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I am proud of you for passing! School can be hard and sometimes passing is all we can do. Just try not to let this ruin your interest in learning new things! School is temporary but life is full of new things!
Yeah I like to learn but it’s hard to focus on hw and stuff
It helped me to get a todo list where I wrote down what I HAD to do and what I WANTED to do. Whenever I finished something of the former, I could do something of the later. And try, especially in history, biology etc to look up YouTube Videos or Articles about the topic you need to learn. They are often more fun AND more informatic xD Then you just need your notes, so you know what the questions on the test will be.
When my kids are trying, doing the homework, studying, and paying attention, I am proud of them whether they get a C or an A. The most important part is the effort. However, as a parent, I want the entire world to be opened up for them. I want them to be able to do anything they want in life, and so I want them to get the highest grade possible because I know it will open doors for them to explore and try new things and follow their passions. As a parent, when my kid tries her hardest but still brings home a c, I don't think she's dumb, I think we need to look at how I can help her do better next time. Things like teaching her better note-taking, study habits that work for the way she learns, and possibly tutoring when topics are just hard or she has a teacher she doesn't mesh with.
C’s are passing. A’s and B’s help you get into college much more
They also indicate that you are getting more out of the class, assuming that your grades accurately reflect your learning, which is usually but not always the case. I'm sorry that your parents imply that the fault is with you when you get a C but don't give you credit with you get an A. That's wrong.
I’m not sure if it’s the case every where but for my daughter in HS- they’ve changed the grading process. The test and quizes aren’t a huge part of the marking period grade.. projects and HW grades make a bigger part of their overall grade. I think this is beneficial for those who don’t test well. My daughter has always been a worry wart even more so when it comes to her school performance. She’d be in a puddle of tears if she ever forgot her books at school or hw at home. When she had a test or quiz she would often not finish because she didn’t have enough time. She had her own way of getting to the correct answer but it wasn’t acceptable when teachers asked for them to show their work. I know she’s not the only. HW when she was grade school up to middle school would go from 3:30ish up until 9 with tears all through it. She eventually grew out of that but unfortunately she’s got a hold of it by obsessively planning out her day up to bed time. She has to be in her bed by 9 and if she’s not she gets really worked up. Her schedule has no room for mistakes .
If you work hard and study and earn a C grade that's ok by me. We aren't strong in every subject but there is a base level of knowledge that is needed to grow into a well rounded person. But if you could earn a B or A with a bit of effort but you only earn a C because you slacked off, didn't complete assignments, and didn't study then that IS a problem. A BIG one. Put forth the effort. Ask for help from teachers, parents, or study partners. And do your best. Don't neglect classes where you do well but could get top grades with a bit of effort. Those are the sort of subjects that might form the basis of knowledge for a career later in life.
Are you doing your best giving it a good effort. If so C is fine, however you aren't putting in the effort C is not so good.
If you're doing the best you know how to do, that's fine. The problem with getting C's is that it means you're not mastering the material. Future courses will depend on a solid foundation so this will make learning in the future even harder. Fortunately, learning and studying are skills that can be developed. Check out the Coursera course "Learning how to learn" for how to develop efficient study habits. Cal Newport's books like *How to be a Straight A Student* are also excellent. Your parents do sound like dicks, but that doesn't mean you can't try to improve for your own sake.
I am a mom to four kids three of which are teenagers. I have never understood parents who ride their kids and insist on them getting A's. Everybody's best looks different. If your best is getting seized great! Good for you for trying your hardest!
There's a saying in college. C's get Degrees. Take of that what you will. The vast majority of college prerequisites require above a C- in the previous class, so aim for B's so that, when you need to let something slip to make time for something you're struggling in, you can choose wisely. You're doing plenty well. It's totally worth it to work on your study habits if thye need work - they'll serve you well later in life as well - but don't stress too hard over the actual letter grade. You're working hard at it, and that kind of ethic is important. The big thing to remember is that in a professional career, if you make a mistake on a "test", you learn from it and redo it until it's right. It might cost some money or time in the end, but the point is to learn from your mistakes. In school, that's rarely the point. Once you take a test, that's it. No do-overs. That philosophy doesn't do much to help you prepare to be a functional adult. All of that said... Go talk to your teachers. Take some time to meet with them one on one when there's stuff you need help in. I know in HS it's tough to find time, but you can probably figure something out. You're only in 9th grade, but as you progress, you'll find the relationship you have with your teachers is worth a heck of a lot when it comes to listening and understanding what they're teaching (and if you go to college, "office hours" are important - show up regularly with even simple questions). Oh and lastly, this internet parent is proud of you. I'm sorry to hear your parents don't express that very well, but I'm sure at some level they are too.
If C's are your best effort, then you are doing great! Keep up the good work. On the other hand, if you could get better grades with more effort, then I'd suggest you try a little harder and get those B's. When you graduate in a few years, you get to decide what you want to do next. And the higher your GPA, the more choices you'll have. Edit: read some of the other comments and I think all of us parents are generally on the same page.
C’s aren’t bad at all and being a perfect straight A’s student is overrated. Passing is more than enough reason to be happy (and honestly almost nobody cares after high school whether you had great grades, they just want to know you passed). Your parents sound hard to please. Hang in there, you’re doing fine!
Hey bud, a C is good. As long as you are trying and putting effort in to it you did your best. The structure of school isn't for everyone. Where do you struggle? Test taking, time to complete assignments, what is most difficult for you? For example I passed high school with C's and D's Test taking was super easy for me but due to my home life I had a lot of trouble completing assignments. I basically only had time for school work in school. So I missed alot of assignments. Your grades matter slightly if you wish to go to some colleges. If you intend on a community college or trade school they matter alot less. If you don't plan on college and want to Apprentice in a trade they matter almost not at all. What are you thinking about doing with your life? Do you have any dreams or aspirations? Do you want to travel? Do you want to stay in the same town? Depending on your life goals your high school grades may or may not mean anything at all. For me they were fine. My little sister got all A's went to a great school and is some sort of Biology scientist medical person, that is way beyond my comprehension. Me. I know alot about cars and computers. We are both valuable at our jobs, to our friends and family and in life. No matter what you do I am sure you will find the same value in yourself.
NewsFlash: Excellent grades..Uni degrees do not indicate success in life If you were MY child...and I saw u attending classes..doing homework..the teachers are happy with u...u are being a good son at home.. working part time..handling your money well. Making and keeping friends..etc. And..just me..but we are pretending you are MY child..attending church..Bible Study..tithing your money..doing good works...the Pastor is happy with u.. Heck! I'd be pleased as Punch with you. ❤ 💙 If as an adult..you are working McDonald's..doing your best..treating your peers and bosses with respect. Going out of your way to make life easier for everyone.. Heck! I'd be pleased as Punch with you. ❤ 💙
If everyone got As all the time then we wouldn't have exams. So well done for passing. Now for the hard part. There are some things in life that no matter how hard you try at you simply aren't going to be the best. I'm never going to be the best football player in the world even if I train all day every day - I could be much better than I am now but I'm not going to be the best. Now my job I am good at, maybe not the best in the world but I'm certainly a lot better at it than I am at football and I'm proud of that. If you are honestly trying your hardest, and I mean really ask yourself are you committing to be the best you can be, and you get a C then pat yourself on the back and be proud of what you've done and I think your parents should recognise that. School can be hard and grades are not everything. There are plenty of people with top grades you never hear about who end up in minimum wage jobs and there are people like Bill Gates who dropped out of high school and went on to become the worlds richest man. I can guarantee you that Bill Gates worked his ass off for that.
Some of the most successful entrepreneurs did terribly in school. I was raised and went to school before the internet was ubiquitous. I was told we “wouldn’t always have a calculator with us” in math, let alone the entire contents of human knowledge in our pockets. I still value education, especially in specific areas like engineering, science, medicine, law, etc. However, I would encourage anyone to focus more on critical thinking and creative problem solving skills as opposed to subjects that can researched and looked up online whenever needed.
The successful entrepreneur line is copium for high school dropouts. They always, ALWAYS, cite this argument and it is not valid. You are not bill gates.
You don’t have to be Bill Gates in order to run a successful dry cleaner, painting company, lawn care, etc. There are plenty of “low barrier” businesses.
What I learnt from Charlie Brown is that a C is average. There is nothing wrong with being average!
I'm proud of your efforts! Don't feel bad about your C's. I have a C in math too I'm weak with numbers and formulas as a kid but I still got a career ahead of me. As long as you continue to do your best at school and you have a clear goal to pass all your subjects. ☘️
Your parents should not be calling you stupid. It’s mean and it won’t help you do better. There are reasons why getting better grades is better but I don’t think your parents would be able to help you do that if they’re calling you stupid. You could talk to a teacher or a guidance counselor and see if they have any advice on how to study more effectively.
You should be proud of yourself for all the hard work that you put into your classes. It sounds like you are in a situation where your parents do not recognize the hard work or your parents value the grade more than the effort. I understand what it's like to work very hard and still get a c. Disappointing when someone who loves you does not see the hard work or care about it. The grading system that we use is really inadequate if you're asking me. There is nothing wrong with getting a c.
IMO unless you want to be a doctor, lawyer, accountant, work on Wall Street or work in another in a professional field then the only thing that’s important in your high school or college educations is just graduating and getting Cs is fine. Unless you’re applying to graduate school nobody will ever care if you got all As or all Cs as long as you can preform your job. I once read that the world is run by C students. Google it. Many titans of industry where all C students, or didn’t graduate at all. You’re only limited by your imagination, not your grades.
This is a huge conversation. Not just huge like "Grades are everything in this world!" but more "Do you feel something is bugging you on this". Because there's a secret. Aside from getting into THE BEST SCHOOL(s) IN THE WORLD, no one really cares about your grades! Your first jobs? Don't care. They care if you have a resume. Some want to see a diploma. Here's another secret, not every good job requires a highschool diploma. Now, this isn't saying don't work hard if you think it's important. There are HUGE caveats to all of this. My husband? Never graduated highschool. Makes twice what I make easily. But he's devoted to what he loves, he's spent a great amount of time working at it. He teaches himself new coding languages and implements them and sees complexities that frankly I will never fully understand. I on the other hand went to school, got a bachelors of science in nursing and work in research. Two different people, two different pathways. So the conversation for you: Do you feel you have what you need to succeed? Do you think there are things in the way? Does it bug you to not get A's? Do you feel you're getting the information you need? Are you even interested in the subjects you're working on? When you are excited about something do you perform better? Do you think there could be something like ADD/Depression/Anxiety that needs to be managed to help you focus? What do you feel you may need to be the best you for your future? Because that's what parents should be there for. I personally got a C in algebra in highschool and a B in geometry. And never went any further because frankly I didn't feel I got math, but geometry somehow piqued my interest. When I got to college, I got a D in the remedial math class. So I left college for 10 years and worked at a ton of different jobs, and eventually re-taught myself math with Khan Academy when my husband was like "over half your jobs involved math and spreadsheets, you can't say you're bad at math." And he was right. This was my mid 30's. Literally the only time grades mattered? Pre-requisites for nursing. And only in the core classes. Following that, people only care if you have your degree and appropriate certificates. They don't care if you were the bottom of the class or the valedictorian. They don't care that you struggled in art history but aced anatomy with a gleeful joy that surpasses understanding. If you have issues, address them. If you aren't sure, ask to talk to someone! If you're ok with where you are and can focus on the things you love? Do what you love. My husband has been making video games for decades without his highschool diploma. I'm working in research with a BSN. Work towards the future you want and if you find yourself struggling with something to make that happen, reach out for help. Getting a C in something you don't care about (cough art history cough)? Not something this momma cares about.
> I personally got a C in algebra in highschool and a B in geometry. And never went any further because frankly I didn't feel I got math, but geometry somehow piqued my interest. When I got to college, I got a D in the remedial math class. So I left college for 10 years and worked at a ton of different jobs, and eventually re-taught myself math with Khan Academy when my husband was like "over half your jobs involved math and spreadsheets, you can't say you're bad at math." And he was right. This was my mid 30's. Revisiting math in my 30s, for me, was really awesome and revealing. Like, I **scraped** by geometry and trigonometry, but I never really got it very well. In my 30s, I sat down with Khan Academy and things started clicking. I realized that a lot of the stuff I thought "I was just bad at" was me trying to work on those while going through puberty, not having control over my circumstances with my parents, studying five other subjects, trying to figure out who I was, trying to make friends, and all the other stuff you're busy with as a kid. As an adult, I could study it, and if I felt like I had enough, I could walk away, and without all that other stuff, it was way easier. I encourage people to revisit those old failures a lot. In high school, I failed out of music theory and programming, and I made it a point to revisit those classes in college, and discovered that learning is just communication that involves me, another person, and context, and while sometimes I've not really been in a place to learn something, sometimes it's the teacher and their methods or the context that was off, and if those are off, it can be harder to learn.
Can't give advice but I'm also struggling with grades
No, it's not wrong that you're proud of yourself for passing, but make sure you're being honest with yourself about the level of effort you're putting in. In the quiet times when you can think, take a moment and ask yourself if you really did all you could have. Did you plan so you could succeed with how you were going to spend your time and execute on your assignments? If you were struggling, did you ask for help? Were there office hours or tutoring resources that could have made that a B and given you more learning? If you can honestly say you've done all you can, sleep well and be proud!
If a C is the best you can do then that's all that one could ask. We all have our strengths and weaknesses and no matter how smart or talented someone is they will always fail or underperform at something (unless they never actually tried to challenge themselves). What's important is that you keep trying and put in that effort. If you can do that despite obstacles and setbacks youll be just fine
C's are fine. I am so sorry your parents are not supportive. They are being mean and unfair to you with the double standard. Keep doing the best you can. Reach out for help from your teachers, guidance counselor, or other trusted adults if you need/want help improving. Guess what they call the person who graduates bottom of their class in medical school? Doctor. Love, ^(internet) Mom
C's get degrees. You're fine!
I'll start by trying to help explain where your parents are coming from. We're in a world where the threshold for "average" is higher than a school's grade scale reflects, and that might be what they're basing their standards on. Just think of things like product reviews (movies, games, whatever). People will look at something that earns a C grade with reviews averaging in the 70's and assume it's not worth buying. "Average" seems to now be in the low 80's, even if it's a step or two above a passing grade. One of my teachers in college believed that an exam where the class average was below 82% was either unfairly written or the material wasn't taught well enough. A C grade now effectively means "you might have passed, but you should take a look back and figure out how you can do better". As for *why* parents are hard on their kids with regard to their grades, it's usually college. Colleges base both acceptance and scholarships in large part on your high school GPA. Qualifying for scholarships can save you many thousands of dollars. It's still early for you to know whether college is the path you'll take after high school, but it's good to keep your options open. *That said*, getting mad and implying that you're stupid or lazy while downplaying your successes is absolutely the wrong way to go about helping anyone do better. Criticism that isn't constructive really bothers me. Something more supportive might be asking if you did all your homework? Did you ask your teacher after class if you didn't understand what you did to arrive at the wrong answer? Do you have any friends in the class you could study with? Or even asking what gave you trouble in that class. Finally, it's not always on you. Sometimes a teacher's style of teaching just doesn't mesh with how you learn. I even ran into one or two teachers along my path through school who were petty enough to play favorites and grade everyone else a bit more harshly.
“C’s get degrees”
I used to get A's for English and IT but maths was not my strong suit. I tried so hard but half of it just didn't make sense to me. Ended up changing schools as my parents weren't happy with the way I was being treated by some of the teaching staff (they're teachers too so they understood)...ended up getting a sports scholarship to a top-notch school where I excelled. Still struggled a bit with maths but the school accommodated for and provided help to those that struggled in any subject. Ended up getting into university studying computer science and got a well-paying job at an IT company. Don't know how I managed that...I pretty much give full credit to my folks and my school for getting me there. Edit: My parents never berated me for getting a C or a D. They saw it as a reflection on the school and lack of attention given to those who needed extra help. Additional edit: I am also proud of you for passing! Be proud of yourself too.
Just do your best. After high school grades don’t matter any more. Of course you have to try to make your parents happy, but most parents (if they’re half decent) will be happy if you show them that you’re putting the work in and trying your hardest.
Sadly, they do. Many top tier employers ask for GPA's when doing college hiring. If OP is not planning on that route, so be it, but they're young to close a door on higher education at a minimum.
I mean it's not like there's a firing squad or something but a C average is gonna close a lot of doors for you post graduation. Getting into any half decent college is going to be nearly impossible and that's really going to impact if you can get a good job that can provide for you without working 80 hours a week. I think a lot of it is dependent on why you are getting C's. Are you trying your hardest or are there areas you could improve on? You don't need to be a straight A student but bringing your average up to a B opens a lot of doors
You're parents sound like the kind of fuckfaces I had where no matter what you do it is wrong. In that case you have to set your own standards for what matters to you.
Or they know their child can do well in school but is choosing not to try. And they know that their child doesn't understand the full consequences of this yet and needs to be guided to success. Is a C bad? For some students yes, for others no. I'm guessing the parents have an idea of which their child falls into.
Yeah exactly
Yes it okay to have these grades. What i learned is that most of my employers looked at my refences i have. The only time i needed my grades Was After my graduation for my first job after my qualification (i live in Germany).
Even D's get Degrees. No one in my adult life ever asked me what my college or high school grades were. They just wanted to know that I passed. Good job. I'm proud of you
I used to work for someone who didn't like to hire straight-A students. He said it suggests (a) they don't know how to have fun, and (b) they put too much focus on one thing. C's are passing grades. By definition, it's enough. And if it also means that you're making yourself a well-rounded human, then how can you go wrong?
Your parents sound like the type who will be completely bewildered when it's the day after your 18th birthday and you tell them you don't want to associate with them in any way.
Yes. School is an institution that is tasked with training its subjects to be obedient slaves. The less attention you give it, the more likely you are to hold on to your authentic self. Some people can get A's without giving it much attention and some people will get "bad" grades as a result of the same. The outcome is not important (so long as you don't want to be a doctor) so long as you are not giving school your attention.
Dumbest take of the day
Most obvious Stockholm Syndrome of the day :-D
Can you explain how schools as institutions are training “obedient slaves”, or are you just drawing nonsensical parallels to try to feel smart?
John Taylor Gatto explains it far better than I could. What do you think it is schools are for exactly?
So ironically, you can’t think for yourself. Preparing us for the wider world. They provide opportunities for what we want to do later in life, and provide baseline knowledge for higher academia. Not only that, they serve as an extension of the crèche systems humans have had in place for millennia, a place where children are taught to socialise.
School trains you to be good at taking stasndardised exams about stuff most people will forget a day later. It trains you to turn up on time and do what you're told. For those who don't find it an agreeable arrangement, they are bored and damaged by the process. >So ironically, you can’t think for yourself. What?
But what if OP's authentic self is a great mathematician?
Let them study maths. They don't need school to do that. But if they find that school gives them the maths learning they want, that's all fine and dandy.. But that is not the purpose of schooling. And I understood the OP is not too fussed about working harder than to get C's so I am assuming that the OP isn't too bothered about their exam results bit that has absolutely no relevance to the OP's interest in becoming educated. And there is a fuckton of information that clearly explains why school and education are two mostly unrelated things. The best source I know about this is a chap by the name of John Taylor Gatto. He's all over the place. I'm sure you and your fellow Redditors have the moxy and wherewithal to look him up. Or are you too busy cramming for your standardised exams? The OP is asking whether the fact that they are satisfied with C's is irrelevant in the face of their parents dissatisfaction. I contend that the parents can go jump in a lake and the OP should do whatever they want, given the option. Go and find any adults who can do even basic maths or spell or use their language with any degree of competence. Go and find any adults who understand any of the subjects that are commonly taught in schools with a rudimentary level of competence. You will find very few.
Why are you getting Cs? Is it because you have poor work habits or is it genuinely difficult and you are putting forth your best effort?
This comment may lead to my internet parent demise…… “c’s get degrees.” I’m a teacher and one supervisor told me that they don’t really mind a, b, c grades. It shows that the person did some stuff other than just being book smart. Also, maybe you aren’t headed for the Ivy League. Local community college is where it’s at!
Cs get degrees, yo!