It is a reality that many people are unable to accept the bitter turn of events which comes with academic shock as they try to maneuver to make the ends meet in the real life situation. Schools has trained soft skills that eventually align academic excellences to soft and good life which in real life is a mirage. Here is what I have take as my own key lessons in this cruel life school.
Perfect grades don’t guarantee success
I was always one of the top students in school. I chased perfect grades, obsessed over exams, and worked hard to stay ahead. Back then, I believed academic excellence was the surest way to guarantee a successful future. But life eventually showed me that success isn’t measured solely by a flawless report card. While intelligence and knowledge matter, they’re not enough on their own. What truly makes a difference is the ability to connect with people, to solve real-world problems, and to work harmoniously in a team.
The workplace doesn’t just reward what you know; it values how well you apply that knowledge, how adaptable you are, and how effectively you interact with others. Over time, I came to understand that being smart is only part of the equation. More important is being dependable, collaborative, and emotionally intelligent. A person who is approachable and trustworthy often achieves more than one who merely scores highly on paper.
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Life has a way of humbling even the most decorated scholars, reminding us that technical skill without interpersonal skill is incomplete. I learned to shift my focus from being solely an achiever to being someone others could rely on, someone who could lead with empathy, support others, and bring people together.
Mental health is a luxury
Another lesson that life taught me, though never covered in a classroom, was the importance of mental health. Growing up, mental wellness was rarely discussed, if ever. In school, we were encouraged to keep going, to work harder, and to never show signs of struggle. Stress, anxiety, and burnout were treated as personal weaknesses, not as genuine concerns deserving attention. We internalized the idea that strength meant silence, and resilience meant never asking for help.
But life taught me the hard way that mental health is just as important as physical health, if not more so. Suppressing stress does not make it disappear. I had to unlearn the belief that pushing through at all costs was noble. I had to learn that rest is not laziness, that asking for help is not failure, and that vulnerability is not a flaw.
I discovered the strength it takes to pause, to admit that I’m not okay, and to prioritize my well-being. I began to understand the value of reflection, of taking mental breaks, and of speaking kindly to myself. Over time, I realized that true strength lies in self-awareness and self-care. It’s not about hiding your pain, but about managing it in a healthy way so that you can continue to grow and contribute meaningfully.
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You don’t have to follow the same path
Perhaps one of the most liberating truths I’ve come to accept is that there is no single path to success. In school, the roadmap was clear and linear: finish your education, secure a good job, work hard, and eventually retire. That was the definition of a good life. But reality turned out to be far less predictable and far more nuanced.
I’ve learned that the journey is not always straightforward. Sometimes, the path disappears altogether. Sometimes, we take detours, stumble, fall, and have to find our way again. And that’s okay. I changed careers more than once. I moved from one city to another, sometimes chasing opportunity, sometimes fleeing failure. I experienced moments of doubt and failure that forced me to start over.
But each time, I learned something new. I discovered strength I didn’t know I had and resilience I hadn’t needed before. Those twists and turns, far from being setbacks, became the most important parts of my journey. They taught me flexibility, humility, and courage. I came to understand that success isn’t a straight line but a winding path, often unpredictable and full of surprises.
It’s in those unexpected turns that I’ve found the most meaningful growth. Whether it was starting anew in a different field or rediscovering a passion I had long abandoned, every step – no matter how uncertain – has shaped who I am today.
Embracing life’s lessons
Life has been my greatest teacher. It taught me that academic brilliance can open doors, but what you do once you’re through them depends on much more than grades. It taught me that tending to your mental and emotional health is not indulgent, but necessary. And it taught me that it’s okay to take the long way around, to change directions, and to build a life that might not look like anyone else’s.
Because success, as I’ve come to know it, is not about perfection – it’s about growth, authenticity, and the courage to keep going, even when the way forward isn’t clear.
By Kamomonti wa Kiambati
Kamomonti teaches English and Literature in Gatundu North Sub County
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