What it Takes to Be an “A+ Human"

Basmah Hendy

Sep 20, 2024 • 2 min read

A graph with fluctuating peaks and valleys, each point labeled 'your best.' The title at the top reads 'You Are Not a Machine,' and at the bottom, the text says, 'Your "Best" Will Look Different Each Day (and that's totally okay!).' The image conveys the message that personal best efforts can vary daily, and that's normal.

By: Omar Koura

I think we can all agree that tests are stressful.

I argue that test stress isn’t just because we know we must study for them, or because they might be hard, but because we are told how we did afterward. The grade we receive can feel like a judgment of our abilities, our efforts, and, by extension, our worth. However, I would also posit that the actual grade itself doesn’t matter as much as how it compares to the expectations we have set for ourselves. This is where the real stress comes in. It’s not just about passing or failing; it’s about whether we’ve met, exceeded, or fallen short of our own standards.

Naturally, there are two ways to deal with this conundrum: produce better results, or lower expectations.

As students, we’ve learned to focus on the first, often pushing ourselves to the limit to achieve top grades, regardless of the detriment it might have on our health, relationships, and overall well-being. We sacrifice sleep, social time, and even our mental health in the pursuit of higher marks, hoping that if we work just a little harder, we’ll finally reach that elusive “A+” status—not just in our grades, but in life.

But the truth is, we all want to be in the top percentile of everything we do, yet by definition, that’s not possible. The very concept of a top percentile implies that only a small fraction of people can be there at any given time. So why do we put ourselves through so much stress trying to achieve something that, mathematically, not everyone can?

The key, I believe, lies in finding a happy medium between our expectations and our results. It’s about setting realistic goals that challenge us without overwhelming us, and learning to be kind to ourselves when we fall short. It’s about recognizing that being an “A+ human" isn’t about being perfect in everything we do, but about striving for balance, resilience, and self-compassion. We should also make it a point to reward ourselves when we exceed—or even meet—our expectations, acknowledging our efforts and celebrating our successes.

Thank you to all who took the time to read this post! Remember to be proud of all your accomplishments, big or small.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out via Instagram or our email (@mapmentorship/mapmentorship@outlook.com).

Sign up for more like this.