Staff Editorial

“What did you get on the test?”

“What’s your ACT score?”

“Oh my gosh, I did SO bad. What about you?”

These are common questions in the school environment and essentially ask the same thing: “Are you better than me?”

Comparison/competition culture is an environment in which people are constantly comparing themselves to those around them, and it is undeniably exhausting. Whether the purpose of making the comparison is to put yourself above someone else or to discredit yourself, the process is unhealthy and harmful for both parties.

But why do people feel the need to compare? Some may be looking for validation or recognition. Others may feel threatened by someone else’s success. Many might not even consciously think about making the comparison. It’s easy to do, especially with social media.

Scrolling for 10 minutes in the morning can show you the highlights of 20 people’s lives, creating an easy platform for unfounded comparison, and you haven’t even gotten out of bed yet. However, the reasoning doesn’t make the comparison right.

In such a high-achieving environment like Marian, it’s easy to feel like you’re behind or somehow “less than.” In moments like these, it is important to remember that other people’s achievements do not take away from your own. There’s tremendous truth in the saying “comparison is the thief of joy.” If you constantly compare yourself to others, the grass will always be greener elsewhere.

Additionally, comparing outcomes often ignores the process that leads to the results. Everyone has different circumstances that affect the resources they have access to and the time or effort they can put in. Oftentimes, it simply isn’t fair to compare.

Part of the beauty of a diverse community is that everyone has a unique combination of strengths and talents. Some people happen to have a gift in test taking or athletics, while others excel in the arts or public speaking. Most importantly, someone else’s success is not your own failure. Another’s achievement is not your lack of achievement.

Marian is a sisterhood that celebrates others. Marian also is unique in the fact that the school does not rank the class, which removes an aspect of academic competition.

As hard as it is to believe, comparing yourself to others is something that you have power over. Little habits such as daily affirmations, limiting social media time and training your mindset to appreciate other people’s success can make all the difference. If you’re asked for your test score, you’re allowed to respond vaguely with how you feel something went. Phrases like “I feel good about it” or “Honestly, it was really challenging and I didn’t do well” can give people an answer without giving them a real comparison. Sometimes people will continue to press after a vague answer. You can simply not respond or let the person know that you prefer not to share your score.

Remember, you don’t owe anyone your test scores. Practice recognizing your own hard work and celebrating the achievements of those around you. Find an appreciation for the work that people (including yourself!) put into activities and achievements. The more beauty you can find there, the less you’ll want to make harmful comparisons. Life isn’t a constant competition, so let’s stop acting like it is.