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Today: October 13, 2024
November 25, 2022
3 mins read

What is more important for your future GPA or experience?

Having entered the university, someone tries to study hard, needs to pass the class, and manages to combine work and study. In this article, we will consider the question of what is more important, work experience or grades.

Starting from childhood, parents convince us that good grades are an indicator of success. Children try not to disappoint their parents and study hard, but often children burn out from the amount of material they have to learn. However, do the grades reflect the fundamental knowledge that the student learned from the learned chapter of the textbook? In theory, an exam tests what you have already learned in class. In view, there is no need to prepare specifically for the exam, just as there is no need to train specifically for blood donation. In theory, you learn by attending lectures and doing homework; on the exam, you evaluate the quality of your knowledge. Even though many of us are diligent students, almost everything we do at university and school, we do for good grades. Of course, we understand that studying is not limited only to exam preparation. The material we try to memorize before the exam only stays in our heads for a short time. No wonder the American writer Mark Twain said one wisdom: “Education consists mainly of what we have forgotten.” After the exam, part of what is learned is often forgotten, and a year later, little knowledge about the class remains. When preparing for exams, students focus on how to get a good grade on the exam rather than on what knowledge they will take out of the class and how they can apply it in life. For example, suppose the exam consists mainly of multiple-choice questions. In that case, it is enough for students to remember the approximate definitions of terms and what they relate to passing the exam.

Also, when you write papers, no one is interested in your opinion about the material; if you follow the textbook, you will get a good grade. Sometimes, to get a good grade, you need to do things that are very far from what you need to understand the subject well. Therefore, students often have to choose one of the two, and you can’t blame them for choosing good grades. Undoubtedly, some majors oblige you to have a high GPA, for example, if you plan to enroll in medical school or law school, as well as in engineering and construction fields. However, for most majors, having an average GPA and work experience is much more important than having a high GPA and not having work experience. Students take many classes per semester, trying to graduate as soon as possible. However, upon graduation, they have nothing to write on their resume except for studies and a couple of part-time jobs. Of course, for some students, the financial issue is critical, and they try to find any job to cover their expenses. This will show your future employers if you have work experience. Refrain from assuming that grades are the key to success in the future. Education and assessments are a solid foundation, but with developed personal qualities and skills, career success will work.

After talking to one of my professors, I found that some candidates with a very high GPA still need to be considered by her company. The professor explained that if a student has a GPA higher than 4, it means that while studying at the university, the student was focused only on studying and did not have sufficient skills to interact with people in the workplace and with clients. During your studies, try to concentrate not only on classes but also on what skills and experience will help you find the job you want after graduation. There are a lot of events at the university where employers come and talk about their company and position. Such events are a great way to establish connections and learn about companies. Some students manage to get a job in a company where they see their future career upon graduation from university. Even if you were able to get a position at a job that, in your opinion, is considered insignificant and you don’t get the salary of your dreams, it’s still a great start. If you worked for the company during your studies, gaining a foothold in the workplace would be easier after graduation. The employer will already know and trust you, and there will be a great chance of promotion after graduation. You will have a significant advantage compared to those who just graduated from university and have no work experience. Try to work on your resume while still studying.

Another big problem that students face when trying to get good grades is a violation of mental health. Students try to succeed in the academic field, giving all their strength and energy to prepare for exams, and as a result, burnout occurs. Learn to enjoy student life. Student years are when you are no longer children but have yet to build your own family. While studying at the university, visit different clubs you are interested in, make new acquaintances, and spend time with friends. University years should bring you joy, not just stress, during your studies. After university, life will be even more difficult. When you graduate, you will need to take care of how to provide for yourself, find a job, pay your debts, and so on. Then you will have a family and children who will take up all your time. You will have to balance life between family and work. But while this is still far away, try to enjoy your years at the university!

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