The Reality About Grades

While grades aren’t everything, the hard truth is—they do matter, no matter where you are. Good grades open doors that might otherwise stay firmly shut, unless you’re exceptionally well-connected or someone “opens the backdoor” for you.

Recently, my kid started looking for his first job after graduating. Almost every interview required him to submit all his academic records—degree certificates, transcripts, cGPA, details of scholarships (type and amount)—over and over again. Even during background checks by some stupiak company (which, by the way, cost USD $5,000 per candidate), all this academic documentation was scrutinized.

Grades, GPAs—they’re more than just numbers. They’re a mirror. They reflect a person’s aptitude, attitude, and ability to adapt. When someone doesn’t do well academically, chances are that at least one of these three areas is falling short.

Sacrifice is often necessary. Sometimes it means spending less time with friends or family. Other times, it means putting hobbies on hold. It’s tough—but discipline often requires choosing long-term rewards over short-term comfort.

At the end of the day, good grades are not just about intelligence. They show you have discipline, and that you can learn—which is the basic requirement for competence in any job. How far you can go depends on what you know, who you know and who knows you.