by Jackie Goodall

Created on: July 02, 2007

Challenge the Experts

An academically competitive atmosphere is crucial for a thriving environment. For students, competition is a healthy catalyst for development and progression. Students are able to put their skills to the test and strengthen their intellect. Competition allows students to strive to be the best they can be and therefore, prepare for the journeys that lie ahead. We live in a competitive society. Those who do not master the concepts and learn to navigate successes and failure in early years will have a harder time assimilating into arenas such as institutes of higher education and business.

Competition is an essential part of human nature. According to professors, young people have a natural competitive spirit that must be put into practice at the young student age. To have a competitive edge as an adult, frequently engaging in a competitive atmosphere helps students reach their full potential. As a student, I am always surrounded by a variety of intellectual people who are all striving to be the best, which keeps all of us on our toes. In a word, it is motivational.

In addition to being part of human nature, experts agree that competition in an individual's growing-up years is vital for development in other areas. Academic competition, for example, is critical to the development of healthy self-esteem. The premise is if a student competes in the academic world and succeeds, he or she will feel important and successful. If the student loses, he or she has the satisfaction of having tried and learning from the experience. Either way, students strive to do the best quality work possible. The end result is better quality work all around, increased confidence, and a sense of accomplishment.

Finally, competition equips students for the real world by encouraging them to continually improve. Documented results include higher test scores, better papers, higher grades, and excellent overall quality. Even academic defeat tends to raise a student's bar of self-expectation, increasing aptitude. It affords students the opportunity to turn disappointment into a learning exercise. Competition can be stressful, but if students do not have those experiences when they are young, they will not have the skill set to compete in the real world.

In conclusion, an academically competitive environment is essential to the development of a successful student, and eventually, a successful adult. Many parents feel competition is detrimental at young ages; however, in moderate amounts, and with adults to mentor them through the process, students of all ages can reap the benefits. It increases quality and fosters improvement, allowing gradual growth and developmenta step-by-step process in which the student gleans from previous experiences and applies them to new ones. Although it can be stressful, a healthy approach to competition improves confidence and self-esteem. Each competitive event helps students evaluate where they need improvement and provides opportunity to gain knowledge from the other competitors. Finally, in addition to the personal aspects, academic competition fosters a thriving, motivational environment; one that prepares students for the real world.

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