TUGAS 3; WRITING III

Argumentative essay

Thesis statement:

 “I do not agree that academic performance is the best indicator of potential for success in life.”

“Academic performance is NOT the best indicator of potential for success in life.”

In this essay the writer would take “academic performance” as an academic achievement in form of score, value or result which is gained from the formal education like school, college, or university.

Almost everyone is pinning their hopes to the education to create the young generations who masters various science and knowledge, and who are able to utilize self potential and opportunities and ultimately become successful human being in every aspect. The world is changing very rapidly and the live competition is increasing. Education seems to be a very necessary condition of success. Parents are now competing to give their children a provision which is believed to be the best provision for the children’s lives. And the provision is education. Generally, parents assume that the higher level of formal education the more guarantee the future of their children. The better academic performance of their children the more successful the future of their children will be. But in fact, sometimes a person achieves a high level of education but less successful in their life. Otherwise, not a few people succeed in their life but had less success in academic achievement or academic performance.

Is it true that academic performance affect success in life?

To answer this question, we need to look around us. How many bachelors are unemployed? How many students who study abroad and after returning to Indonesia are unable to get a job? How many cum laude graduates whose life achievement is below the successful average?

Every single parent hopes their children will become a successful person in their life. Parents are vying to take their children to the best educational institution. But is it true that formal education that gives high academic performance is a guarantee of the success of the children’s life? Is academic performance the best indicator of potential for success in life? The answer is NO!

George W Bush (the former US President) he once made a statement that attracts attention when giving a speech at Southern Methodist University. He said:

“To you who will graduate this afternoon with an honor, respect, and high achievement, I say congratulation. And also to the C students* you too can be a president”

(*C students: students with an average value.)

Bush made a joke about himself who earned the Achievement Index Cumulative (IPK) were mediocre or below the average at college. While providing a perspective on the students who passed though the value is less than satisfactory. He emphasized the fact that the Achievement Index Cumulative (IPK) does not determine the whole and the rest of your life and life has limitless possibilities. 

Beyond your views with Bush as a president, he said the right things. In fact, a number of presidents such as John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson and George H.W. Bush (father of George W. Bush) also have a value less than satisfactory in school. Vice President Joe Biden also had a trouble in getting good grades when he underwent a law school. 

In addition there are also a number of highly successful entrepreneurs who did not let their academic performance or academic achievement block them to reach the height of glory.

For example, Steve Jobs, he never completed his studies similarly, Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates. In addition youngest female billionaire in the world who revolutionizes medicine, Elizabeth Holmes, also is the student who dropped out of college at Stanford to pursue her dream. Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Group, suffered from dyslexia and also dropped out of his high school education at the age of 15 years.

Famous astrophysicist, Neil de Grasse Tyson, once gave a speech at the University of Massachusetts Amherst:

“Regardless of the value of your academic achievement is, will quickly become irrelevant in your life. How I want to tell you how irrelevant it is.

Because of in your life, no one will ask your Achievement Index Cumulative (IPK).

... Achievement Index Cumulative (IPK) only determines who you are at that time and did not determine the rest of your life next.

Intelligence is a subjective thing, and academic achievement or academic performance is not always the right measuring instrument. Success as a student relies heavily on a person's ability to walk in a system (education), but not always the best preparation for the real world which is a world that is far different from the world of education which is a world of a real life.

Not the academic achievement or academic performance, but someone’s character, experience and connections which will influence the direction of their lives. Success requires passion, persistence, emotional intelligence and the ability to understand the meaning of failure.

That is why we see a lot of " C " Students, people who never cross to our minds, could change the world. They understand what it means to struggle and they know how to deal with the failure.

This does not mean getting the value / low Index Cumulative (IPK) will ensure success. Being the best in the school does not mean you will always be on top.

In the end, the value / Index Cumulative (IPK) and other academic achievement or academic performance is only written on the paper. The real achievement is when you make great changes in the real world. So if you've just graduated from high school or college and you do not finish with high achievements, do not despair. Life is filled with up and down state. We have learned a lot in the school, and the real education happens after you get out of the school space.

Do not stop learning, do not give up and remember to enjoy this way of life.