I saw friends and classmates have a breakdown if they didn’t get a A everytime. I also saw the Calvin’s that sat in the back of the classroom and were happy sliding by with a C average. I figured I did my best and if I thought I was really confused I’d stay after for extra help. It was a treat that way to find out from a friend when I did make it on the honor roll. Schools about the social clubs and the sports events (School Spirit!) too.
A, B, C, D, F. Those are the low grade marks. I always got mid-grades, like “I”. Loved going to shool while all my friends were fishing, swimming, and playing baseball.
According to that line of reasoning, Calvin, you might as well get Fs, or even 0s. Then everyone’s expectations would be low or none and your life would be as easy as it could be.
What people seem to forget is that a “C” is suppose to be average. Most of us should fall into this catergory. I think schools should go to a 50 point system instead of a 100 point system. Think about it, A (100-93), B (92-85), C (84-77), & D (76-70) are all 7 point spreads and an F is a 69 point spread. Make each grade 10 points and keep it fair.
School: I came, I studied, I graduated. Then I put it behind me and got on with the realities of life. Eventually Calvin will have to do that too; as do we all.
I have to wonder if this edition of Calvin and Hobbes came out very close to the end of it’s run. If it did then I can see what might have been Bill Watterson’s reasoning for discontinuing his masterpiece? … Oh the pain!
Calvin always has this warped logic. The truth of the matter is I see many students who are straight A students and they often times have problems with the realities of life or dealing with failure. The B students are the ones that seem to have a more well rounded attitude. They understand the subject but they also take some time off to enjoy life a little.
Pursuit of perfection is largely wasted effort in most pursuits. The adequate result is very often the better use of resources. However, knowledge is one commodity that almost always adds value. If Calvin knows the subject matter and then manipulates the test results to his personal benefit, that’s one thing but if he hasn’t learned the subject then he’s placing himself at a competitive disadvantage.
Coltish1 - Concur!
rikw2 - Yeah, probably!
Richard - Yes! THAT’S the point! You should always try to be the best that you can be - and better than you were previously. The engineers and scientists who got A’s in school are the ones designing robots that are exploring other worlds right now and returning incredible science discoveries. The engineers that got “C”s in school are the boneheads that are designing home appliances or toys that always seem to be recalled 6 months after their introduction to the market.
BUT…
All sweeping generalizations are wrong! …including that one…
/rant on $sorry folks, pet peeve
Shame on anyone who ever tells someone to live up to their potential.
What calvin or anyone else does with their life and potential has exactly zero impact on you until he breaks the law or violates your freedom or rights.
I never lived up to my potential… I’m one of those Presidential Loser Kerry’s “tards” that serve in the Army.
I dropped out of school at 14 and went to work as general labor at a construction yard. Moved up to being the framers’ within 5 years, before I could even buy a beer, and was making over 50K. I basically got tired of moving “UP” (the more you are in charge of, the less you actually DO) and joined the Army. Now no matter how high up I go, I am always DOING, and it suits me perfectly.
I’m not a rocket scientist (I’m a missile and radar mechanic actually), and though I could have been, I never wanted to, and never tried to, and since I chose to ignore everybody, who all told me I should “live up to my potential”, I wound up being a very happy “tard” instead of a miserable CEO or engineer or whatever my “potential” was. I found what makes me happy, and it wasn’t my potential, and I would guess that the same is true for a vast majority.
Do what makes you happy folks. Write your own book and don’t sit around letting others write the book of your life for you, no matter what your potential is. ALL of you have the potential to find something that makes YOU happy.
/rant off
Hey it’s harder to keep up the As. Once you get As your parents expect nothing less than that. My friend was beside herself because her daughter got a B. Went to the teacher to find out why.
Getting a C makes you work harder. I don’t remember getting anything as low as a C (except in gym) all through grade and high school. Then I went to college and got a rude awakening. Darned near bombed out.
It’s a bit arrogant to think you can only learn in a classroom. The quality of home schooling is in most cases on the same level or better than public schools.
Of course the mantra is kids need to be socialized and have to be with other kids.
So you think unemployed adults can go to their high school and college reunions asking their classmates for a loan? Good luck on that socialization sharing!!
I highly resent taxpayer money going to public schools, andI highly endorse cutting back public funded schooilng to 3 days a week, Friday and Monday furloughs.
Let parents find home schooling in their neighborhoods and churches and stop delegating learning of important topics to Godless money hungry government schools.
margueritem almost 15 years ago
He has a good point there…
cleokaya almost 15 years ago
Excellant point and I do the same.
GROG Premium Member almost 15 years ago
That’ll work until he get’s to or tries to get into college.
pouncingtiger almost 15 years ago
Thus, the reason for “no child left behind”.
rentier almost 15 years ago
In life you are sometimes kept in a lower level and you can do nothing against it! You can try whatever you will and it doesn’t help!
alondra almost 15 years ago
Oh Calvin! You’re a bright kid. You should try to live up to your potential.
kreole almost 15 years ago
That worked on my 1st wife…for a while…
rikw2 almost 15 years ago
Did Calvin grow up to be Wally from Dilbert?
poppy1313 almost 15 years ago
Amend
sjoujke almost 15 years ago
I think if Calvin got an “A” for anything everyone would think he’d cheated….and they’d probably be right.
Dino-1 almost 15 years ago
I saw friends and classmates have a breakdown if they didn’t get a A everytime. I also saw the Calvin’s that sat in the back of the classroom and were happy sliding by with a C average. I figured I did my best and if I thought I was really confused I’d stay after for extra help. It was a treat that way to find out from a friend when I did make it on the honor roll. Schools about the social clubs and the sports events (School Spirit!) too.
lewisbower almost 15 years ago
A, B, C, D, F. Those are the low grade marks. I always got mid-grades, like “I”. Loved going to shool while all my friends were fishing, swimming, and playing baseball.
Herocoder almost 15 years ago
Now now Calvin .. is that the only reason you got the ‘C’?
riley05 almost 15 years ago
Dang that kid is smart…. …. and I graduated medical and law school…
Puddleglum2 almost 15 years ago
According to that line of reasoning, Calvin, you might as well get Fs, or even 0s. Then everyone’s expectations would be low or none and your life would be as easy as it could be.
Reggie98 almost 15 years ago
Getting a “C” means you know the answers to the “why” questions of life.
SusieD almost 15 years ago
Rationalization is a wonderful thing.
jbmetalmonster almost 15 years ago
C = Correct…
pamlicorat almost 15 years ago
What people seem to forget is that a “C” is suppose to be average. Most of us should fall into this catergory. I think schools should go to a 50 point system instead of a 100 point system. Think about it, A (100-93), B (92-85), C (84-77), & D (76-70) are all 7 point spreads and an F is a 69 point spread. Make each grade 10 points and keep it fair.
rentier almost 15 years ago
I was a very good and hard-working pupil and mostly had an “A” but in life everything came differently I had expected!
jrbj almost 15 years ago
School: I came, I studied, I graduated. Then I put it behind me and got on with the realities of life. Eventually Calvin will have to do that too; as do we all.
coltish1 almost 15 years ago
Calvin, meet Governor Moonbeam.
wicky almost 15 years ago
Remember:::::: the diff. between a good doctor and a bad doctor is Grades. which would you rather have doing your brain surgery?
Whatroughbeast almost 15 years ago
@ pamlicorat
When I went to school, A’s stopprd at 96. B’s at 90
madampresiden12 almost 15 years ago
I always found it easier to get lower grades and not have to study. Gave me more time for other things.
architct Premium Member almost 15 years ago
One must apply the principal correctly, say for instance on dishes or cleaning.
jackmatt almost 15 years ago
I think I remember George W. bragging about being a C - student. Explains a lot…
chubbygirlcomics almost 15 years ago
Right on, Jackmatt. However, he wasn’t as entertaining as Calvin. :)
bredbox almost 15 years ago
Management material
Trainwreck_1 almost 15 years ago
I have to wonder if this edition of Calvin and Hobbes came out very close to the end of it’s run. If it did then I can see what might have been Bill Watterson’s reasoning for discontinuing his masterpiece? … Oh the pain!
bald almost 15 years ago
strive for a C and if you get a better grade that is a plus
JTGAM almost 15 years ago
Calvin always has this warped logic. The truth of the matter is I see many students who are straight A students and they often times have problems with the realities of life or dealing with failure. The B students are the ones that seem to have a more well rounded attitude. They understand the subject but they also take some time off to enjoy life a little.
runninanreadin almost 15 years ago
…and never forget the wise man who said “A and B students will, later on down the road, work for the C and D students.”
legaleagle48 almost 15 years ago
BC13 said, about 9 hours ago
That’ll work until he gets to or tries to get into college.
And I’d hate to be the boss or co-worker who has to deal with his similar approach to doing whatever job he ends up getting.
Stede_Bonnet almost 15 years ago
Pursuit of perfection is largely wasted effort in most pursuits. The adequate result is very often the better use of resources. However, knowledge is one commodity that almost always adds value. If Calvin knows the subject matter and then manipulates the test results to his personal benefit, that’s one thing but if he hasn’t learned the subject then he’s placing himself at a competitive disadvantage.
treBsdrawkcaB almost 15 years ago
Coltish1 - Concur! rikw2 - Yeah, probably! Richard - Yes! THAT’S the point! You should always try to be the best that you can be - and better than you were previously. The engineers and scientists who got A’s in school are the ones designing robots that are exploring other worlds right now and returning incredible science discoveries. The engineers that got “C”s in school are the boneheads that are designing home appliances or toys that always seem to be recalled 6 months after their introduction to the market. BUT… All sweeping generalizations are wrong! …including that one…
mrslukeskywalker almost 15 years ago
Ya, to what he said, and besides, you can’t spell Calvin without a “C”.
aelwero almost 15 years ago
/rant on $sorry folks, pet peeve Shame on anyone who ever tells someone to live up to their potential.
What calvin or anyone else does with their life and potential has exactly zero impact on you until he breaks the law or violates your freedom or rights.
I never lived up to my potential… I’m one of those Presidential Loser Kerry’s “tards” that serve in the Army.
I dropped out of school at 14 and went to work as general labor at a construction yard. Moved up to being the framers’ within 5 years, before I could even buy a beer, and was making over 50K. I basically got tired of moving “UP” (the more you are in charge of, the less you actually DO) and joined the Army. Now no matter how high up I go, I am always DOING, and it suits me perfectly.
I’m not a rocket scientist (I’m a missile and radar mechanic actually), and though I could have been, I never wanted to, and never tried to, and since I chose to ignore everybody, who all told me I should “live up to my potential”, I wound up being a very happy “tard” instead of a miserable CEO or engineer or whatever my “potential” was. I found what makes me happy, and it wasn’t my potential, and I would guess that the same is true for a vast majority.
Do what makes you happy folks. Write your own book and don’t sit around letting others write the book of your life for you, no matter what your potential is. ALL of you have the potential to find something that makes YOU happy. /rant off
BigHug almost 15 years ago
Hey it’s harder to keep up the As. Once you get As your parents expect nothing less than that. My friend was beside herself because her daughter got a B. Went to the teacher to find out why.
calzadaa almost 15 years ago
CALVIN FOR PRESIDENT !!
Jaddis almost 15 years ago
rikw2 said, “Did Calvin grow up to be Wally from Dilbert?”
Probably Dogbert – they have a lot in common.
runninanreadin said, “A and B students will, later on down the road, work for the C and D students.”
That’s almost always been the case for R&D people, but we have more fun than the managers, just not the parking spaces and window offices.
Sysiphus almost 15 years ago
Is his life [i]really[/i] easier with low expectations?
artybee almost 15 years ago
Getting a C makes you work harder. I don’t remember getting anything as low as a C (except in gym) all through grade and high school. Then I went to college and got a rude awakening. Darned near bombed out.
lazygrazer almost 15 years ago
“C” stands for Common Cense.
ps: Bravo to aelwero’s above comment.
yankeewhaler almost 15 years ago
It’s a bit arrogant to think you can only learn in a classroom. The quality of home schooling is in most cases on the same level or better than public schools.
Of course the mantra is kids need to be socialized and have to be with other kids. So you think unemployed adults can go to their high school and college reunions asking their classmates for a loan? Good luck on that socialization sharing!!
I highly resent taxpayer money going to public schools, andI highly endorse cutting back public funded schooilng to 3 days a week, Friday and Monday furloughs.
Let parents find home schooling in their neighborhoods and churches and stop delegating learning of important topics to Godless money hungry government schools.
ratlum almost 15 years ago
I would hate to see what I would have got for marks if I hadnt tried for the top marks
JBJHJM almost 15 years ago
Love it! The only comic which is able to be funny and philosophic at the same time! It’s just too bad that they were only drawn for some years …
Sysiphus almost 15 years ago
I wonder if sending Calvin to a Madrassa (sp) (religious school) in northwest Pakistan would have made him any different?
More religious, perhaps?
Edit: changed it to northwest; geography isn’t my longsuit, hehe.
darrenmparr almost 15 years ago
“Remember:::::: the diff. between a good doctor and a bad doctor is Grades. which would you rather have doing your brain surgery?”
Personally, I’d sooner have the surgeon who was competent in his/her role than someone who was good at remembering superficial data.
medamo almost 15 years ago
c is for cool. And Calvin, is cool.
COWBOY7 almost 15 years ago
And that’s another way of approaching the situation, Calvin!
sarathc almost 15 years ago
Great… Thinking of appraisals in IT companies :)
BigHug almost 15 years ago
That comment about the doctor reminds me of a joke.
What do you call a medical student who finishes last in his class?
Doctor
kpeiyin almost 15 years ago
I kinda agree with Calvin
katdreams almost 15 years ago
Getting ‘A’s was always easy–probably why school was so boring. And Calvin grew up to be Frazz!
Miss.Fit almost 15 years ago
wish I had got a C too in kindergarden…
garfield246 almost 15 years ago
”An A? Boy, I’d hate to be you. I got a C.”
You may have it easy now Calvin, but your parents are gonna send you to military school when you’re a teenager.
coldplague over 13 years ago
Bravo! Great observation Calv!
wowzo over 12 years ago
Why didn’t i think of that when i first started going to school