Five truths
- Success has many shapes. One family's ideal path is not everyone's.
- Comparison hides context. You see results, not struggles.
- Marks at 16 rarely decide life at 40. Skills, choices and persistence matter more.
- Interest fuels effort. Children work harder at what they care about.
- Your child's progress is the right benchmark. Compare with last year, not with others.
For parents
Replace "Why can't you be like…?" with "What helped you do better this time?"
Deciding whether it fits you
A field can look exciting from the outside and still be a poor fit. Before committing, talk to two or three people already doing the work, try a short course or project, and notice whether the day-to-day tasks energise or drain you. A structured conversation with a mentor can help you compare options against your interests, abilities and values rather than trends alone.