A few days ago, I found myself anxiously refreshing Aspen in hopes that one of my teachers added another score in, mindlessly praying that it would nudge my grade up to the next letter. When the score was finally posted, I initially felt relieved; I was happy with my results. But relief soon turned into worry as I instantly began to wonder what my classmates had scored, catching myself wondering how I compared to everyone else.
That moment highlights a big issue: academic competition. It’s an intrinsic part of our school culture; a force that quietly shapes our academic experiences. Competition is everywhere, from comparing test scores to college acceptances, and it makes students feel like they’re not just learning, but rather racing to outcompete. Like most things, it has its benefits and drawbacks.
On the bright side, competition can be incredibly motivating in the sense that it can push us to work harder, aim higher, and acknowledge our achievements. When cultivated positively, it can bring out the maximum potential in students as it encourages persistence and hard work, in turn celebrating accomplishments. A bit of friendly rivalry can drive academic growth and push students to reach their full capacity.
However, there’s a toxic side to competition as well. Constant comparison can create unrealistic expectations and substantial pressure, which can ultimately lead students to feel copious amounts of stress and burnout, as well as the nagging feeling that they are not good enough. Instead of working hard in school for the sake of individual growth and learning, students often feel like they are trying to one-up each other instead. Rather than being proud of their own progress, students start to measure their worth by using others’ performance as benchmarks.
A prominent example of this is the debate over class ranks. Whilst some argue that ranking students motivates them to achieve higher heights, opponents claim that class ranks offer a narrow view and overlook growth or unique strengths amongst students. There’s no simple answer to whether or not schools should implement ranks, but at LHS, where the intense environment naturally breeds competition, we may be better off without making students feel like a number defines them. As every student is unique, it’s totally acceptable for them to define success in their own terms. Allowing competition to take over would also risk damaging a community that makes school meaningful.
Competition isn’t inherently bad; it just needs to be approached with the right perspective. It’s okay to strive for excellence, but when competitiveness begins overshadowing learning and community, it’s time to think about what we’re really trying to achieve.