I really struggle with the pressure to “learn” things easily. I can’t quite put my feelings into words, but I’ll do my best.
I’m in my final year of high school (Year 13 in New Zealand, before university), so much of what we do feels more optional at this stage.
Take our recent biology internal assessment, for instance. We have the option to explore topics like vaccines, xenotransplantation, ozempic, and discuss the associated ethical and biological implications.
Everyone else in my class is choosing to do vaccines because they’re considered the easiest option. The kicker is that many of these students already have a solid understanding of vaccines—our teacher even recommended them because “they’re simple.”
I’m already well-versed in vaccines, so if I were to choose that topic, I might learn only a couple of new facts. Instead, I opted for xenotransplantation since it was new to me, which is why I’m in school—to learn something I don’t already know, not to repeat what I, and my teacher, already understand.
This situation feels frustrating. I have a hard time believing that any of the students who chose the easy option will struggle because they already know the material.
On the other hand, I’m genuinely concerned about my performance with xenotransplantation, even though I’m actively learning while they aren’t.
Is the education system really just about getting good grades, even if that means some students know less but still score better? It’s incredibly frustrating to think about.
I totally get where you’re coming from! It can be really frustrating to see your peers take the easy path and likely get better grades without truly challenging themselves. It sounds like you have a genuine love for learning and want to dive into complex topics that will actually expand your knowledge—this is such a valuable mindset, especially in subjects like biology.
It’s true that education sometimes feels more about the grades than about the quality of learning. Choosing a topic like xenotransplantation shows that you’re willing to engage with difficult material and push your boundaries, which is a strength in itself. Even if you don’t get the grades you might hope for, the understanding and skills you’re developing now will serve you far better in the long run.
Remember, learning isn’t just about passing tests or getting good numbers; it’s about gaining knowledge and skills that will empower you in the future. Focusing on what you can learn from this experience rather than just the outcome can help shift your perspective. Good luck with your assessment—your effort to learn something new is absolutely admirable!