We listen in class, we revise at home. We spend hours in tuition; we scrutinize two marks on a Physics test. We get a big head over a perfect grade; we show our temper over results we don’t like. We compare scores and stress over different answers during the mandatory post-exam meltdown. And when we get home, our parents constantly remind us of the importance of a pristine academic performance.

The cycle never seems to end. It defines our daily routine – the everlasting rollercoaster of our high school career. But when it comes to work, or even college, how strong is our academic achievement against other success-defining factors? Are our grades the only thing that admissions officers and employers look at?

The answer may be a pill that’s hard to swallow.

(Read also: The peril of grade-chasers to education culture)

Schools under the leadership of Asian principles and philosophies tend to place a huge emphasis on grades and exams. While this results in an influx of exemplary examination results and top-performing students, it comes at the cost of sacrificing equally important soft skills.

“An issue I’ve noticed is how our education system seems to focus too much on studies, with extracurricular activities and social events being perceived as unimportant,” stated Christian Chonardo, a graduate of a Singaporean-based curriculum school in Jakarta. “Yet those neglected activities actually help us develop skills that are important later in life.” 

Christian is currently a freshman at Princeton University. “Management skills, critical thinking, leadership and teamwork. These traits got me into Princeton.”

Imagine that you’re an admissions officer for a renowned institution and you’re trying to decide which student to admit – student A or student B. Let’s say student A holds an average score of 93 for all subjects, has received accolades on numerous occasions and is known as a remarkably capable student. Student B holds an average score of 84, but he is the captain of the football team, a member of the school debate club and has participated in theatrical productions and musicals. Which one would you choose? I’m sure you would choose the latter, despite his inferior academic score. Why? Because you know that student B is going to be able to face up to life’s challenges! Through his exhaustive list of extracurricular activities, student B has subtly displayed time-management skills, leadership traits and collaborative experiences. He stands out. He figuratively tapped you on the back and said “Hey, this is why you should choose me!”

However, most schools still tend to overlook the importance of soft skills. For example, my school’s educational system is rigged in a way that prioritizes good grades – which is commendable by all means – but unfortunately the same cannot be said about the development of our non-academic related finesse. Our abilities to speak in front of large gatherings, engage in an open-ended discussion, work efficiently in teams and solve mind-boggling problems are lackluster at best. Therefore, it is important for my school, or any other school for that matter, to encourage its students to nurture their soft skills too. This can be done by conducting various team-building activities and self-development camps, or by implementing new learning structures in class.

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Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that if you choose to endeavor along the academic-oriented path, you’ll deplete your soft skills. Doing well in your studies shows that you are determined – that you work hard to achieve your goals. But then, as the old saying goes: "Too many cooks spoil the broth". Dedicating everything to the technical side of things might tip you out of balance. Hence, it is equally important to find equilibrium, a point where you’re steadily developing both hard and soft skills, while having fun and enjoying yourself as well. 

Most of us have spent at least 16 years in school, focused mainly on building our hard skills full time and with little time spent on our soft skills through team projects, sports and social activities. To ensure a successful career, shouldn’t we spend at least another 16 years to proactively master the soft skills necessary to advance ourselves?

 

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As a 16 year old kid from Jakarta, Timothy is more of a 90s kid than a millennial. He runs and writes short stories whenever he's not rocking to Pink Floyd or Guns n' Roses. His hobbies include running, not failing Chemistry and watching films. Reach Timothy through Instagram account: @timothysamwijaya.

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Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post.