As students, we all strive for perfection–or try to get close to it. We beat ourselves up if our test scores aren’t what we wanted them to be, or if our grades have dropped. But do grades define us? What if we are smart in other ways? A classroom environment isn’t always where students flourish. There are many aspects of learning, which means that all students won’t respond well to certain teaching methods. This can then lead to bad grades that completely misrepresent the potential of a student. Teachers may form their lessons however they please, but this doesn’t mean they will positively impact every person within their classrooms. 

There are nine different types of learning styles: linguistic, logical, musical, visual, kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, natural, and spiritual. Students can be a mix of all the learning styles, with dominance in certain ones. Visual learners need to see concepts to understand. Linguistic learners respond well to language and words. Kinesthetic learners need to physically do something in order to associate concepts with movements. Auditory learners need to listen to lectures or videos to grasp a lesson. The different styles can lead to gaps in learning, which isn’t the fault of the student. If a teacher doesn’t cater to the many different styles of learning, students will struggle, which makes them appear unintelligent. This is why grades shouldn’t define us. Students are not ignorant, they just have a harder time understanding or grasping a concept because their learning needs are not being met. 

Even if our grades aren’t the best, who’s to say we are less because of that? Test scores and assignments may seem like the be-all-tell-all for students, but in the end, no one will remember what you received on an assignment. All we can do is try our best and adapt to our challenges. Everyone is smart, sometimes we just have to figure out how to use our skills to their fullest potential.