Such Comparisons Are Not Needed by Megan

Such Comparisons Are Not Needed by Megan - January 2015 Scholarship Essay

The one thing I wish certain teachers would understand is that every educational experience is different. Expressions like “when I was in school” and “I graduated with a 4.0 GPA” just don’t matter to me, if anything they are a distraction. There are factors that are dissimilar from our experiences and those factors should not be discounted as if each student isn’t making some sort of sacrifice in order to receive higher education.

Comparing ourselves to others is a natural human instinct. However, I believe this right should be used sparingly and reserved for equals. A graduate student does not need to compare themselves to undergrads, much less an instructor comparing their own greatness to the ignorant. Also, it could be assumed that an instructor would enjoy their subject matter, thus allowing them to retain a better grasp of the material.

As this style is that is a disapproving parent commenting on the lifestyle of a misunderstood teen, such comparisons may stem from an extension of family. Sadly, these demeaning comments have no weight without the background provided by a familiar party and should be considered as more of a distraction to the educational system than a source of motivation.