Why do top students refuse to be acknowledged?

[boysenberry]

Why do some students refuse to be acknowledged by their peers for their achievements? These are the sorts of students who are good role models however, if they were to get an award for something good to be recognized, they would not come and accept it. At the school, these sorts of activities are taking place. Top academic VCE students are not signing their names to be awarded the Premier's award or have their name mentioned in the newspaper if they get 40 or above as a Study Score for a subject (which to many is very probable). These students get exceptional grades and they do incredibly well in tests/exams and they do get really high ENTERs after year 12. Some students don't even tell their friends what they get even if they get an ENTER of 99+. So what's with them? Is this really an act of kindness as to not make others feel bad? They have loads of opportunities to brag and to say to others that their 'special' but they choose not too. So what's with them?

[herzy]

lol individual preference i suppose. i don't tell people what i got unless they directly ask (on VN i do due to a certain level of anonimity), but rather say i was happy/satisfied. likewise, i only ask for generalities, as i feel that that's all that is important.

[appianway]

Lots of people are scared about people knowing how they went if they don't think it's good enough. I know that a lot of people would be disappointed with low 40s, and hence would not want people knowing if they had scores in this vicinity.

I don't understand the whole premier's awards thing though. Perhaps they want to remain anonymous?

[NE2000]

The newspaper publishing thing could be because they want to have some discretion over who they tell their score to, or they don't like the idea of everyone being able to see the score if they underperformed. As for people getting high scores and not going about telling everyone, it would just be modesty...it's pretty arrogant to go around and brag and tell other people you're 'special' because you got high scores. Also, some people don't like to impose their scores on others who didn't achieve as high as them, even if they are their friends, so they won't tell them unless specifically asked. I don't think it's half as surprising as you are suggesting...

[*ryan777*]

The newspaper publishing thing could be because they want to have some discretion over who they tell their score to, or they don't like the idea of everyone being able to see the score if they underperformed. As for people getting high scores and not going about telling everyone, it would just be modesty...it's pretty arrogant to go around and brag and tell other people you're 'special' because you got high scores. Also, some people don't like to impose their scores on others who didn't achieve as high as them, even if they are their friends, so they won't tell them unless specifically asked. I don't think it's half as surprising as you are suggesting...

i agree

[monokekie]

Top academic VCE students are not signing their names to be awarded the Premier's award or have their name mentioned in the newspaper if they get 40 or above as a Study Score for a subject (which to many is very probable).

did they tell you that they are not signing their names to be awarded.....?  why wouldn't they just say "nah, i didn't get it" if they are truly modest...

[herzy]

The newspaper publishing thing could be because they want to have some discretion over who they tell their score to, or they don't like the idea of everyone being able to see the score if they underperformed. As for people getting high scores and not going about telling everyone, it would just be modesty...it's pretty arrogant to go around and brag and tell other people you're 'special' because you got high scores. Also, some people don't like to impose their scores on others who didn't achieve as high as them, even if they are their friends, so they won't tell them unless specifically asked. I don't think it's half as surprising as you are suggesting...

i agree

+ 1

[boysenberry]

did they tell you that they are not signing their names to be awarded.....?  why wouldn't they just say "nah, i didn't get it" if they are truly modest...

I was just making a general statement, I wasn't referring to any specific people.

Anyway, there are also times where (now referring to specific people at my school) there are also people who don't put their hands up or contribute to class discussions when a teacher is asking questions even when they know the answers. These people are missing opportunities where they could be praised for their academic endevours/efforts.

[appianway]

I can relate to the last one. It's very easy to become alienated if you're always the one giving the responses, and there are even instances where teachers refuse to call on certain students to give others a go.

[amirite?]

Anyway, there are also times where (now referring to specific people at my school) there are also people who don't put their hands up or contribute to class discussions when a teacher is asking questions even when they know the answers. These people are missing opportunities where they could be praised for their academic endevours/efforts.

That sort of praise doesnt get you anywhere though IMO. As well as the potential of being alienated ^. Some people just dont like speaking up in class. Theres nothing sinister behind it. For some people praise just isnt a motivating factor. Theyre not being ungrateful in any way.

[m@tty]

I can relate to the last one. It's very easy to become alienated if you're always the one giving the responses, and there are even instances where teachers refuse to call on certain students to give others a go.

That's why I often keep quiet. To allow others a chance to think and come to it themselves, rather than getting it rammed down their throat before they get a chance to engage with the question.

[NE2000]

I can relate to the last one. It's very easy to become alienated if you're always the one giving the responses, and there are even instances where teachers refuse to call on certain students to give others a go.

That's why I often keep quiet. To allow others a chance to think and come to it themselves, rather than getting it rammed down their throat before they get a chance to engage with the question.

Right. Putting your hand up every time for every question defies the point of why the teacher asks the question: so that the class can think about it.

Also, you don't need to be answering all the questions in class to show that you know your stuff, rather your marks and work and the help you can provide your peers when they ask for it is enough for people to know that you know your stuff.

[Ahmad]

The mathematician Hardy wrote wrong answers in his exams while at school to avoid risking a perfect score which would mean he'd have to get an award in front of the entire school. Then again, he also never looked at himself in the mirror to the extent that he shaved by touch.

[Eriny]

As a shameless self-promoter, I don't really understand it either. Lots of high performing people are truly modest, and some feel that they have to pretend to be modest. I don't really understand why you wouldn't accept a Premiere's Award (other than extreme social phobia, like that guy Ahmad described), it's a great achievement which they should be proud of and I daresay not accepting it is something they'll regret later.

Actually, I heard a story, also about another maths guy, who solved one of the millennium puzzles (and I think was going to be awarded with the Fields medal?), he turned both million dollar prizes down. He lives with his mother. Some people are also just plain insane.

[boysenberry]

I can relate to the last one. It's very easy to become alienated if you're always the one giving the responses, and there are even instances where teachers refuse to call on certain students to give others a go.

That's why I often keep quiet. To allow others a chance to think and come to it themselves, rather than getting it rammed down their throat before they get a chance to engage with the question.

This is definitely generous. Looking back there are also students in my classes who just can't seem to keep their mouth shut and give others ago. To be quite honest, I've always disliked 'know-at-alls' who do this (e.g. like that girl from Harry Potter). But wouldn't it get sorta frustrating if you were in a class full of idiots who don't possess even the most basic knowledge of the materials covered. In this case, you wouldn't even be able to give other's ago and instead of looking modest by not answering you look even worse for being seen as to not know the answer and from not contributing you make others feel as though you are not part of the class. Either way, I just don't see the logic.