If you got an A in your most recent exam, well done, give yourself a clap on the back…

Then forget about it.

Getting top marks in academic exams means little in the real world. It does not mean you are going to be a good leader or a good manager. It doesn’t mean you are going to be innovative, nor does it mean you are going to get on with your work colleagues. It doesn’t tell your employer how you will deal with stressful situations or how much effort you will put into the job. It doesn’t even say whether you will turn up on time or take lots of sick days. Simply put it does not mean you are going to be a great microbiologist. Far from it.

Along the same lines, if you barely scraped through your last examination, don’t worry about it. It does not prevent you doing well all these things above. It does not mean you are going to be a mediocre microbiologist…

The point is that exams are a transient hurdle to be crossed, the passing of which will give you choices in your career/life. You need to play the game (give the examiners what they are looking for) to pass exams. After the hurdle is crossed, you can put yourself to the test, and that is always much more revealing……

Michael