Embarrassed for Having Good Grades?

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Does anyone out there ever feel kind of sheepish when tests are handed back and you are one of only a handful of A's in the class? I'm not trying to toot my own horn or be egotistical, but I genuinely feel embarrassed when everyone is ragging on me and saying how badly they did on the exam. All I can say to them is "I would be happy to study with you" or that, "oh I killed myself studying for this one". Is there a better way I can handle this? Or should I just get my paper back and hide it immediately while ignoring everyone's questions of "what'd you get?"

Also, I am proud that I am doing well in my classes and very grateful for it. I'm just kind of a shy person and hate being embarrassed! :/

You guys are all so awesome. I'm glad you can empathize with this situation! This is my second go around in school as well. I definitely get more teasing this time, though. You would think it would be the other way around, seeing as how I graduated from a 4 year university with mostly young people last time and this time I am in a community college setting where half of the people are older!

And I don't want to be misunderstood. I am not embarrassed of my grades. I'm very proud of them and the work I put into getting them. What I find embarrassing is how other people make me feel like a freak or make a big deal out of my good scores versus their not-so-good scores. I guess what I mean is the attention (both positive and negative) make me feel sheepish! Plus how they belittle the work I put into those grades by saying I'm just smart. Um, hello. How much I know about a subject directly correlates to how much time I invest in it! I don't go out every night and get drunk or stay up late when I know I should get a good night's sleep before an exam.

Sorry, I know most of you know what I mean. I just don't want anyone to think I have anything but pride for the work I do. It's the haters out there who make it hard to enjoy them in class! ;)

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I know what the OP means, it's not ragging on as much as it is minimizing it. For example statements like, "Well of course you got an A, you're a brainiac." or any statement that implies you lucked in to your grade instead of working your tail off.

It makes sense, they're just excusing their grade because if the difference between how we obtained our grades actually boiled down to the fact that I just worked harder and longer at it (ie, I didn't go skiing last weekend, I studied)....that would mean their grade was their fault. Whereas if the reason I got a high grade and they got a low one is just that I'm lucky enough to be a "brainiac" well then the other person can continue to ski every weekend and not feel bad at all.

I agree, I don't let folks make me feel anything but proud of my grades. When they try to tell me that it's just because I'm smart, I'm sure to mention that I worked my tail off.

Thank you, exactly what I mean. Also, do you ever get the feeling you're being excluded from the group after the exams are handed back? They all talk amongst themselves about the class or the material or the test and I find myself sitting there as if I have nothing to offer the conversation. And they don't really even want me to add anything lol.

I should also mention that this is my first semester at my school at it is 45 minutes away from where I live so I really have no friends there, just one girl who is pretty nice. I know that sounds pathetic lol. I guess I just feel vulnerable :(

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Specializes in Ortho/Trauma.

Nothing to be embarrassed about if you get good grades. I don't gloat about my grade, but you can always celebrate with your lab group via hi-fives assuming everyone in your group did well.

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Specializes in NICU.

I completely understand! I feel like it's easier to share bad grades than good grades sometimes haha but I definitely had this problem - especially in science courses. I would work my butt off to earn my A's and everyone would be shocked like it was some impossible accomplishment. I don't worry about it too much anymore, but I still get that feeling. I've had people make me feel like a freak about the way I study, saying I "over study", but obviously it works for me and they don't study enough! haha

I try to celebrate on the inside until I get home and can brag about it to people who won't judge me :-)

I really love this post because it's unusual, but a lot of people feel this way!

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These people need to grow up. Even if someone in class does not do well on a test, there's no "he or she's so smart", in regards to the ones that do well. Its more man I really need to study harder so I can bring my grade up too. Just seems really juvenile to me to reduce someone's study habits to oh you got an A because you're so smart. Thats something I saw in junior high. These people need to realize its called higher learning for a reason.

But, like someone else said, if it bothers you, you don't need to share your grade. Besides, you want to surround yourself with people who encourage & support you and pushing you to do better. Just tell them you passed and leave it at that. Personally, if you are not being encouraging and supportive in anything that I'm doing, I just KIM.

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this happens to me too....I really do feel embarrassed or almost "guilty" but I am thankful that God has blessed my school career. I either don't say anything about grades and if someone asks I just say that "I did good" or that "I am happy about what I got."

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Specializes in Home Care.

Forget the naysayers....those people exist everywhere in life and will only bring you down.

I didn't go to LPN school to make friends and I'm not going to nursing school to make friends. I'm there for me, the competition is me and the only person I have to answer to is me.

I graduated with honors from LPN, I'm on the Dean's List at college and I plan on graduating with honors from RN and from BSN. And I will toot my own horn when the time comes. I'm worth it, I put in the effort. So are you!

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You are so right itsmejuli. I did not come to make friends, I came here to be a nurse! I think I need to keep reminding myself of that...

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why not come for friends and to become a nurse. best of both worlds. =)

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why not come for friends and to become a nurse. best of both worlds. =)

I don't think anyone worked to get into nursing school to make friends....truly, there are far easier ways to make friends!

That being said, if the folks in your program allow both, bonus!!

But, if the climate requires you to choose, well it's an easy choice, I intend to be a nurse.

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