Many students at Pleasant Valley feel the disproportionate emphasis on book smarts as opposed to street smarts, leaving a lack of well-rounded character.
Book smarts as opposed to street smarts are viewed very differently at Pleasant Valley and in society.
Junior, Addison Even, feels that the two different types of intelligence are important. However, she also believes the two to be valued differently at PV and in society, “In PV I think book smarts are more valued because academics are very competitive at PV.”
Even values book smarts more and considers herself to lean more towards being labelled thus versus street smart. She stated that in life, individuals need to have a combination of both to truly excel in a career, college and everyday life.
Senior Elizabeth Peterson also values book smarts more than street smarts. She views society to have the same values.
An article published by thelala.com expressed strong viewpoints in favor of street smarts as the superior form of intelligence, “Being street smart means you have the ability to function and thrive in the world around you. It’s the guts and the knowledge to get what you want any way you can.”
Even concurs, being too academically smart could be a hindrance to the individual in the real world. She stated, “Street smarts give people common sense on how to handle situations.” Even argued a more book smart individual may overthink the problem or situation at hand.
Even reflected on the cons of being too one way or the other, “If you are strictly book smart, you feel more pressured to perform well in school, sound intelligent to peers, etc.” She went on to say those that are strictly street smart miss out on opportunities to advance themselves further in future careers.
Peterson agrees being book smart is a good thing, but feels there is a lack of balance among those too focused on studies, “People are too caught up in what you are supposed to know instead of thinking outside the box and expanding knowledge to new ideas.”
Peterson is able to achieve a healthy balance between homework and enjoying life, “ I work hard in the classroom and have fun outside of class and am not totally worked up over school work.” She has been discriminated against in the past due to her grades, but worked hard to improve them.
