Why Do ICSE School Students Sometimes Appear to Be Great?

The perception that ICSE (Indian Certificate of Secondary Education) students might pretend to be great is a common one, often fueled by a variety of factors such as academic pressure, parental expectations, peer dynamics, and social media influence. It's important to understand the nuanced reasons behind this behavior and to recognize that it is not exclusive to ICSE schools.

Academic Pressure

ICSE schools are known for their rigorous academic standards. These high expectations can lead to competitive behavior among students, pushing them to strive for academic excellence. As a result, some students might feel the need to present themselves as high achievers, often despite their actual performance. This can be a coping mechanism to deal with the stress and pressure of being academically competitive.

Parental Expectations

Many parents place a significant emphasis on academic success, expecting their children to excel in school. This can create an environment where students feel pressured to meet these expectations, sometimes to the point of presenting an image of excellence that may not reflect their true abilities. The fear of disappointing their parents and the desire to be seen as successful can drive this behavior.

Peer Dynamics

In a competitive educational environment, students may feel the need to conform to the expectations of their peers. One way to do this is to exaggerate their achievements or abilities to fit in or gain social status. This can manifest in overestimating their performance or highlighting their success, even when it may not be entirely accurate. The pressure to fit in and excel can lead to this type of behavior.

Social Media Influence

The rise of social media has played a significant role in this phenomenon. Students can curate their online personas, often highlighting their successes and downplaying their struggles. This can create a distorted view of their lives and performance, leading others to believe that they are more successful or academically gifted than they actually are. The competitive nature of social media platforms can exacerbate this issue.

Cultural Factors

In many cultures, there is a strong emphasis on success and achievement. Students may feel that they need to embody certain traits or accomplishments to be respected or admired. This cultural pressure can push students to strive for excellence and present themselves as high achievers, even if it means exaggerating their achievements or abilities.

Personal Experiences and Realizations

As an ex-student of Universal High School Malad—an ICSE school—I can attest to the rigorous academic standards and the challenges they present. During my schooling years, I had friends studying in CBSE and State Board schools. These friends often expressed pity for the effort I had to put into my studies and the projects I was working on. However, when I completed school and started pursuing higher education, I realized the benefits of the ICSE curriculum. I was better prepared in terms of theoretical knowledge, English language, and overall attitude towards learning as compared to most of my peers from non-ICSE schools. This realization instilled a sense of confidence, but there was no attitude of 'being great.'

It's important to recognize that the behavior of appearing to be great can vary greatly among individuals and is not exclusive to any particular educational board. While the ICSE board is indeed tougher than CBSE or state boards, the realization of its benefits comes only after completing school and starting higher studies. Most ICSE school students are simply glad that they studied with a board that has better prepared them for higher education.