Little Fish or Big Fish? (1 Viewer)

[mazza_728]

Hey guys
I was just wondering in your opinion wat is betta? Would you prefer to be the Dumb Kid in the smart school or the Smart Kid in the dumb school - by that i mean .. would u prefer to be in a selective school, such as Ruse and have heaps of competition etc and be coming last or be at the top of your grade in a "normal" school? personally id pefer to be the Big fish in the little pond because although i thrive on competition if i was coming last i would give up! also you would not be noticed for your achievements, compared to the rest of the state you could be going well above average but in ruse or other selective schools you would be coming last. personally coming last ANYWHERE would crush me completely and id give up so id definetly prefer to be smarter in a less selective school.
What do u think?

 

[Huy]

I think it would only be human to pick the 'big fish'.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both scenarios. Being the big fish, you dominate the subject (or subjects). Everybody knows that you are the expert or 'main man' to go to, and being in such a position commands respect. Having said that, there is an expectation from you to perform exceedingly well if you are 'top dog' - the biggest fish of them all, no matter the size of the pond itself.

Being a 'dumb kid' in a selective school is a bit of a paradox, but I will go with it for a minute. If you are at the bottom of the bunch, and you're in a school full of intelligent (above-average) students, you will be tempted to learn even more than you would, had you attended a public (or in my case, Catholic) institution. Coming last in your subjects would give you all the more reason to perform better the next time, unless you are one of those students who 'settle for less', per se.

Going to a selective school does have it's disadvantages as well, as you would constantly be the subject of ridicule (I would imagine). This wouldn't be great for your ego, in which case you would do anything to be 'a big fish'.

In recapitulation:

Big fish - 'normal' school
- You're reknowned as the leading authority in a particular subject (or subjects)
- Others will look up to you, in terms of a source of motivation or guidance/advice
- You don't have a lot of pressure to perform, as selective students do, in their given school
- You can relax and feel comfortable (which isn't to say, selective schools do not 'relax and feel comfortable')
- You generally do have a better time at school, although your marks may not reflect those of another student, attending a selective school.
- If you're at the top, you're likely to remain at the top for a longer period of time
- You may seem approachable, rather than be considered as 'competition' for those beneath you (I don't mean to say: "You are better than everybody else").
- You may not perform as well as you could, potentially.
- You will be forced to 'settle for less' in some circumstances, whereby your marks will double or triple the school's average (depending on the school) - therefore you won't be getting as high a mark as you would, had you been in a selective school with 95+ marks (or thereabouts).

Small fish - selective school
- You are constantly being ridiculed, or expected to 'fail'; at the bottom of the cohort
- You suffer from low self-esteem as you are always being considered a failure, in terms of the school's average or class average
- You lack any motivation to perform better, although being at the bottom may force you to shape up (or ship out, literally!)
- Your marks may be moderated moreso than another student, attending a non-selective school
- You will have more people, with a larger knowledge base than your own to ask advice, seeking guidance/help (if they are available, or 'nice' enough to help you).

These points are coming from a non-selective student, attending a private, Catholic, all-male school. I have never been in a selective school, so I know my points will be rebuked (if not confirmed). I know some of the points are biased and most are assumptions, I admit that, but I'm trying to remain objective (as much as possible). Having never been in a selective school, I don't know what it is like - but I can only imagine what it may feel like. Being a big fish has it's advantages and disadvantages, although being the small fish at a selective school is not so bad in itself.

Now, having said that -- we have 'smaller fish to fry'.

 

[Xayma]

Big Fish, it's what I'm use to, I don't want to know where I stand with the rest of the state until I get my UAI. I don't think I would try as hard if I knew where I sttod with respect to the state. One more thing I like abouy being a Big Fish, you come first in many subjects which means your HSC is basically up to you. It doesn't really matter how the rest of the school goes.

 

[mazza_728]

Coming last in your subjects would give you all the more reason to perform better the next time

for me i would just give in - my self esteem would be so low that i just wouldnt see the point of trying.. it wouldnt get me anywhere in my opinion!


Big fish ALL THE WAY! i mean being the big fish in a lil pond may still mean that ur going to have other big fish in there too! at my school most of the fish are small but there are a few over fed sea food that offer competition! so you still strive to be Top fish .. or top dog

 

[Huy]

but there are a few over fed sea food that offer competition!

LOL! That's funny,

Yep, they'll always be a few students who are considered to be the big fish at any school.

It's Christmas, and your thoughts are of school?

 

[mazza_728]

It's Christmas, and your thoughts are of school?

sadly yes.. my family doesnt really celebrate xmas- dad sees it as another commercialised day of the week -- my parents are divorced so that puts more tension on it and mum thinks its too much hassle so really we dont celebrate it.. there is no present giving as such - me and my brother get something small for each other but he lives with mum and i live with dad.. v.strange day of the year so we just chill really.. do nothing .. i think im planning to study actually smeh! its sad i like to get all chrissmassy with my friends but otherwise yeah its just another day of the week for me

 

[flyin']

In short, be the happy fish, whichever that might be for you.

I'd like to be a medium-sized fish.

 

[Winston]

I'd rather be just a smart kid at an ordinary school, like not a school full of drop kicks but just a school of people who like to have fun and enjoy life but simultaneously balance school work with life and knowing what to prioritise at times.

 

[Lainee]

Well... I go to a selective school, and I've had the experience of feeling like the little fish in a sea of geniuses. It's not a good one, and I dare say it doesn't do wonders for your self confidence.

But, that being said, I'ld rather be where I am now then the 'big fish' at my local public school. I went to a catholic primary school, and I was constantly finishing my work before the rest of the class(those good ol' days!) and be made to help the slowest kid in the class. Back then it was part of the 'students teaching students' experiment to combat the situation where classes are overpacked and there students of varying abilities. Many of my friends had the same experiences in their primary schools, and most remarked that it made their schooling very dull. Imagine explaining a fairly simple concept to another student, who just doesn't get it. It's not their fault, it's just frustrating to the one whose suppose to help - we weren't cut out to be teachers.

Anyway, that was to show an example of the frustration brighter students (the big fish) has to go through in a normal school. The environment doesn't promote growth because there isn't that necessary degree to motivation to surpass your peers. Additionally, it's often that in one subject, there are only a selected handful who really do take that subject very seriously and the rest who drag their feet along. In a selective school environment, I'm not saying *all* but the majority have high dreams. You can stay home and study knowing that most of your friends will be too and not feeling like an absolute reject.

To be the silver-scaled fish in an ocean of gold-scales or a bright-scaled in a sea of tuna?

 

[Xayma]

Originally posted by Lainee
To be the silver-scaled fish in an ocean of gold-scales or a bright-scaled in a sea of tuna?

Nah Id rather be a whale in a bathtub then a guppie in the Pacific.

 

[babydoll_]

i have been both and i readily agree that being the big fish is better

 

[Rahul]

i'd rather be the small fish in the pacific.

but then i would have to give up, to an extent, my social life. but for one year, i personally, would be ok with that....

 

[Trigger189]

Well, i dont go to a selective school, but i find the competition hard enough at my school! there are some pretty smart people in my grade, and im up there with them, so I find I'm always pushing myself to do better. I am coming first in a lot of subjects, but get beaten a lot of times by my friends. The top 4 in our adv. english class is basically my group of friends, so its great to be where I am...having healthy competition, staying at the top, and pushing each other to perform our best.

I dont think I would survive in a selective school...i might be toward the top, but I could see my confidence being pushed down. I am definately well respected in my school and get a lot of recognition and so do my friends...its a good place I am at the moment, and I dont think I'd like anything else.

But thats just my opinion

 

[kimmeh]

hmm i've been in a situation of both big and small fish.. now i'm a small fish, and i dont like it.. i got to a fully selective school [girrawen] and there competition here is so great... i think i've sunk in self esteem. i study here, and i literally get nowhere..

my old school [macquarie fields (half selective)] i would be acheiving the marks i want without studying much. what huy said is true, people look up to you when you're the big fish.. its gives you alot of confidence, and helps you to set a good example- thats if you dont get a big ego from it.

 

[Rahul]

???
all want to be the big fish.....let me sponge of others anyday!

w00t, i'm a rebel. *plays rebellious music*

 

[Huy]

Mazza,

Oh, sorry to hear about that. My family doesn't celebrate Christmas either. I sympathise with you, on many levels (which I won't discuss here, in public). In my family, we don't give presents either, not even a "Merry Christmas" is said. It's the same for me -- just another day of the year.

i'd rather be the small fish in the pacific.

I'm not going to find you!

 

[Rahul]

omg huy!!!

*run nemo! run!!!!*

 

[bubz :D]

man this reminds me of frontline

 

[Huy]

Originally posted by bubz
man this reminds me of frontline

Originally posted by Huy
Now, having said that -- we have 'smaller fish to fry'.

I wonder why,

 

[Rahul]

must you take all the credit huy, she was obviously referring to the "nemo" comment.