YTA Essay Competition Agon 2025 Second Prize

YTA Essay Competition Agon 2025 Second Prize

‘Success is measured by Character not by report cards’.

In today's age Success is often equated with marks and high ranks. From a young age, students have been trained to chase numbers, ranks and percentage which makes them turn a blind eye towards the actual process of learning. Report cards do reflect one’s academic abilities but fails to highlight ones character and values. Hence, it is no exaggeration that ‘Success is measured by character and not by report cards’.

If a person excelling in academics fails to develop his/her character and personality, this would make them lag behind from their peers in terms of social development. An individual who can express their thoughts positively and be kind to others, then he/she is seen as creditable than a person who ranks high but lacks basic decency.

To explain this topic further, let’s take a short story as an example Runa and Muna were classmates who had been very good friends but their rivalry grew as the pressure of ranks and percentage mounted. Runa an average student was totally absorbed in her academic studies and had shut off all contact with her peers. While Muna who equally managed her studies and sports making her, an overall bubble in her friends group. In their final exams, Runa scored the highest. After few years both of them crossed paths in an office interview. Runa was confident about her theoretical knowledge but when it was time to present her portfolio she stuttered and overall a bad impression was surged. On the other hand Muna who didn't score as high as Runa delivered her speech confidently. The interviewer selected Muna for the position as she not only had the potential to present but also had the potential to lead.

From this story we deduce that, if the interviewers had selected one of the candidates on the basis of academic achievements then maybe the one who could have led various competitions would have been left out. ‘Never judge a book by its cover’ could also be said as ‘Never judge someone’s capabilities by their report cards. Report cards do open doors for opportunities but character of a person decides if he/she is capable enough to shoulder them. As, nowadays students just focus on merit lists, ranks and numbers, the important part of curiosity based learning is left out. ‘Success’ is nothing but a way to highlight the fact that something in your character has led to a genuine and impactful change. Even the Education Minister of Delhi, Respected ‘Atishi mam’ has put forth several statements regarding the fact that intellectual and character development are two sides of the same coin and must be developed simultaneously throughout life. Besides life demands qualities such, as honesty, empathy, courage and resilience all of which can’t be inculcated by only opening books and increasing the theoretical knowledge. In order to be truly successful one must not only chase after ranks. As true success comes from healthy serial interactions and lively environments.

In conclusion parents of tomorrow must not extensively pressurize young minds towards hollow ranks, but instead must motivate them to learn and grasp all kinds of knowledge. As our aim is to build a strong Nation with independent individuals. A Nation’s progress is not just economical but is truly reflected by the quality of individuals and their character. We must always remember that we are judged by our ‘thoughts and actions’ and not by a remark on the report card. In the end an empathetic and honest person is far more creditable than someone who has a polished report card but is ignorant and lacks basic decency. The world sees the overall behavior of a person and not just report about academic abilities.

‘Intelligence plus Character is the true goal of education’.

Cadet Bhargavi Lad