An overachiever is someone who exceeds expectations. We all know an overachiever. Every school has them, whether it’s your friends, siblings, classmates, or even you.
Have you ever wondered, Why? Why do these types of people work so hard in school?
Doing extra credit work, achieving straight A’s, and never missing a class. Well, there are several reasons for this dedication to excel in school. I applaud overachievers for working as hard as they do, but I feel like it’s not always just a good thing. I always find it intriguing how they maintain the high grades and perfect scores on tests. But I always wonder if they stop working so hard and take a moment to relax, enjoy their high school years, and take time to destress.
The pros
Most people do the bare minimum in school, just making sure they pass their classes, but these people go above and beyond. They work the hardest in the class, ensuring they use their time productively and stay on task. I’ve always wondered how people have the motivation to put in 100% every day in school.
Most overachievers work exceedingly hard in school to better themselves and their future. There is a feeling of purpose and a “dopamine rush” or “high” tied to reaching goals and completing tasks above expectations. Overachievers often make the most of their time and become proficient at multitasking, which can result in more free time, even though they might just fill this free time with additional work.
They most likely have a dream job and/or dream college they would do anything for, or even have high expectations from their parents to maintain such high academic standards. Colleges view overachievers positively for their drive and potential success, but they are also wary of the “insecure overachiever” who may be motivated by fear of failure and external validation. Being an overachiever can even make you feel good about yourself, that you’re so on top of all your work. It can also show that you are self-disciplined and have strong potential when it comes time to search for college and or a lifelong career.
The cons
But there can be some downsides to being an overachiever and holding yourself to such a high standard. Being an overachiever can often cause a lot of stress, depression, and even anxiety as you strive to be the best and accomplish everything you need to be the best.
Even if they set very high standards for themselves, they still don’t seem satisfied with the effort they’ve put in. Feeling like there’s a spotlight on you always to exceed expectations, especially if the reason you work so hard is to appease your parents, because it’s what they expect of you. The idea of failure and disappointing your parents or teachers is something that overachievers fear, or even the fear of inadequacy.
Some feel dissatisfied with their work, and instead of feeling proud when they achieve something, they may feel relieved that they didn’t fail or think about how they didn’t do good enough and could have done better. Students perceive their peers not as collaborators, but as competitors for limited spots while applying for college.
Research shows that students who are higher achievers in school struggle more with mental issues, 7-8 times higher than average. Around 40% of Non-overachieving high school students report persistent feelings of hopelessness or sadness, so imagine the percentage is for overachieving students. Burnout is prevalent in overachievers and even students in general, and it’s very important to take care of your mental state while working so hard.
I think it’s important to appreciate those who always work tirelessly in school. If you yourself are an overachiever, I think it’s crucial to take time to hang out with friends and family, not stress so much over grades, and make sure to take care of yourself alongside your work.
