I remember how stressed I felt when I had just graduated from class 11 and entered class 12. The whole debate around ‘topping’ the class 12 board exams and getting through the ‘best’ college in Delhi University took a severe toll on my mental health. Everybody spoke about what a ‘bright’ future we would have if we achieved those things. Nobody talks about what happens if you don’t–because failure is never an option.
Spoiler alert: I did not get through DU, neither did I get the best grades in class 12. But if you ask me whether I’d want to change anything about that today, my answer would be no. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough adults who tell their children that they can have happy, successful lives even if they don’t do well in their board exams. However, things seem to slowly but surely be changing. Ever since netizens have become more vocal about such topics on social media, it has become easier to talk to kids and tell them that it’s okay. Grades don’t matter. Because there’s so much more to life and success than your board marksheet.
Here’s what ‘failure’ means to different people
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) announced the dreaded board exam results for class 10 and 12 yesterday, which sparked a thread on Twitter about what ‘failure’ means to different people. While some were absolutely hilarious, others were super relatable. Here are some of our favourite picks:
Delusional!
I scored 74 in Mathematics in my boards. My grandfather termed it as a failure. It hit me hard. I persevered and did a lot of hard work and scored below passing marks in my 1st year of grads to let him know what real failure is. Delusional old man.#cbseresults2020
— Tanmay (@sentiyapaa) July 13, 2020
Revenge is a dish served cold?
I knew a boy who consistently kept failing, even though he was very intelligent. Why? To annoy his father who mistreated his mother. Cutting off your nose to spite your face.
— Vina Leekha (@vinaleekha1) July 13, 2020
Get it?
Lmao I got 49 in Maths in my 12th board in 2015 because the paper was physics based and I was a commerce student. I didn't even bother attempting 50 marks and apparently commerce kids were given marks for attempting the questions I skipped💀 But, nobody cared and I'm happy now.
— 🌼⁷ (@Abby_Lasha) July 13, 2020
Clearly, it’s easy to prove them wrong!
I scored 94 in Maths in my boards and got admission in my college as rank #1. My parents thought its a failure compared to my 10th board mark which was 100.
I scored 9/100 in my second year and proved them wrong. https://t.co/JX8G1jlpVB— Toni (@Wings0fFire) July 13, 2020
Here are a few more funny Tweets that caught our attention!
Lmao I got 49 in Maths in my 12th board in 2015 because the paper was physics based and I was a commerce student. I didn't even bother attempting 50 marks and apparently commerce kids were given marks for attempting the questions I skipped💀 But, nobody cared and I'm happy now.
— 🌼⁷ (@Abby_Lasha) July 13, 2020
It's just the way people look at it.
Just to give you a perspective: I scored 62.5% in 10th and my father distributed sweets in the mohalla and asked me to do the same in tuition.
And then there was my friend who came 9th in the 'State' didn't even give a toffee. *Baniya Dost*— Akash (@akispeaks) July 13, 2020
Dude I had 6/100 In cbse12th
22/100 in first year 🤣🤣Finally cleared my graduation after 4th attempte by 51/100
— Flawsome (@Defaulter_AF) July 13, 2020
I always scored 90+ in Math in school & overall was always less than 85 , Papa was chill bt In grad,I barely crossed 60 & my brother asked me what happened, you never scored this low, my father replied promptly,I think, as per his efforts, it's still more than my expectation.
— ⓢ♄ꍏ♗↳€ⓢ♄ ♪♄ꍏ (@Leaning___Right) July 13, 2020
Bhaiya mere maths me 100 aane 4-5 marks reh gye the toh pitaji bahut gussa hue fir college gya ,waha Mai 1st sem ko chhor sab me fail hua, Piitaji ki expectation mere se ab bas sirf paas hone ki reh gyi hai 😷
— Prashant Saindhav Rawat (@aawara_engynar) July 13, 2020
I never failed in my lifetime. I really want to experience how does it feel like. So I failed in my physical education exams twice in my Pre Boards 1 and 2. And my teachers were in shock.
— Ujji (@Ujji11105494) July 13, 2020
In a welcome move, the CBSE has decided to omit the word ‘failure’ from the 10th and 12th board mark sheets and has come up with a sensitive alternative word– ‘essential repeat’. So your board exams will no longer put students through mental stress of failure. We’re glad that the board has finally acknowledged that low marks don’t mean that you’re a ‘failure’.
So, if your relatives are calling you to know your score and making you uncomfortable about your grades, don’t fret. Use one of these punchlines and get it over with.
Repeat after me: the number on my marksheet does NOT determine my worth.
Featured Image: Pexels