Top 10 Engaging Essays on the Issue of Academic Achievement Pressure

In today's rapidly developing society, some people have forsaken ethical values in pursuit of societal drawbacks, with the obsession over academic achievement being a prime example. In response, Vietnam's Ministry of Education has called for a rejection of "negative practices in examinations and the obsession with success in education".

"Negative practices" refer to unhealthy behaviors that have a detrimental impact on society, leading it further away from progress. "Achievement" is the outcome of effort, which, while often motivated by personal material or emotional benefits, can also be driven by the collective good. However, the "achievement obsession" arises from fraudulent or fabricated efforts. The primary difference between true achievement and the obsession with success is the authenticity behind the effort. The key factor in this distinction is integrity. While genuine efforts to achieve personal or collective success should be celebrated, negative practices and the obsession with success must be condemned and eradicated.

The obsession with academic success and negative practices during exams have become more common in Vietnam. Schools, aiming to meet the Ministry's quotas, and teachers, driven by school competition, have abandoned professional ethics and resorted to falsifying grades. Parents, eager for their children to excel, and students, wishing to advance without studying, have created an environment where the pursuit of success takes precedence over quality. From a practical standpoint, parents are willing to use any means, including those that have been publicly exposed in the media, to ensure their children pass exams and obtain diplomas, which are seen as crucial for future employment. Although these diplomas may be obtained through dubious means, they are viewed as social recognition. The long-term consequence is that both parents and students have contributed to the widespread problem of the achievement obsession.

In early 2006, twenty-six sixth-grade students at Trần Phú Secondary School in the mountainous region of Sông Hinh, Phú Yên Province were found to be unable to read or write properly, yet were promoted to the next grade. The practice of bringing cheating materials into exams and discarding them after the test has also been widely reported. When learning of these events, how do we feel? If the future of our nation rests on the shoulders of such individuals, then there is nothing more concerning. If those in high positions are "famous but unqualified", they are merely the "blemishes" of society, slowing down the nation's development.

We all understand that a developing nation requires talented individuals, and true talent comes from education. Education is the foundation, the source of energy for a nation's strength. A truly great education system will produce individuals who achieve honestly, and their successes will propel the nation forward. Our country is advancing along the path of reform, opening up, integrating, and competing globally for a rightful place on the world stage. The upcoming economic battle is fierce, much like a war or a championship match. In such a contest, victory depends on one's genuine talents, not merely on having a higher qualification. Our nation's future prosperity hinges on whether our education system can evolve to produce truly skilled individuals.

We must strive to learn and cultivate good character, not just for personal benefit but to contribute meaningfully to society. We must work together to eliminate cheating in exams and the obsession with success. This is not an impossible task if we are united in our resolve to "reject negative practices in examinations and the obsession with success in education".

In life, everyone enjoys receiving praise, recognition, and a good evaluation. Such acknowledgment is a powerful motivator that encourages individuals to live better lives and improve themselves. However, alongside the positive aspects of praise, there are still individuals and organizations chasing after superficial achievements, and this has even become a 'disease' in our society today. So what exactly is the achievement obsession, and how has it impacted our society? Let's delve deeper into understanding it.

Achievement refers to the positive results that individuals or groups work hard to accomplish. It often reflects dedication and continuous effort, carrying positive meanings. But when paired with the word 'disease', it turns into something dangerous. Today, this obsession has become a societal issue that we must work together to eliminate.

The achievement obsession is when individuals or organizations focus solely on quantity over quality. It’s akin to the saying “empty vessels make the most noise.” This reflects a focus on flashy appearances while ignoring the core substance. This behavior is prevalent, especially in the education sector and government institutions, where the obsession with numbers has reached alarming levels.

This is evident during high school graduation exams or evaluations, where teachers stress over students' results as they are seen as indicators of educational quality. As a result, cheating, bribery, and manipulation have become common practices. Meanwhile, government agencies report false achievements, claiming “great success” or “exceeding targets,” all while the true progress remains hollow. They rejoice over inflated statistics, forgetting that these actions could destroy an entire generation and even harm the nation’s economy.

The achievement obsession brings severe consequences for individuals and society as a whole. First, it leads to self-satisfaction, where people fail to realize their own shortcomings, often living in delusion about their accomplishments. This leads to arrogance, where they no longer listen to others or improve, resulting in stagnation. This is why our ancestors wisely said, “Good wood is better than good paint.” The outer appearance may be imperfect, but the inner quality must remain intact. A decaying tree will inevitably wither and die over time. This obsession with achievements is even more dangerous when it affects groups.

In schools, chasing after achievements can ruin entire institutions. The situation where students are promoted to higher grades without adequate skills is becoming more common. Some students can’t read or write properly but continue to advance to higher grades. What will these students contribute to society in the future? Are we not burdened with the task of compensating for these gaps? If a country is led by 'empty vessels,' how can the people ever find peace? If public institutions focus solely on achievements, how can the nation overcome poverty? How can society progress?

President Ho Chi Minh strongly condemned the achievement obsession. A famous story shared by many generations is when he visited a successful collective farm. During the visit, he saw pigs in the pen fighting each other. When he opened the pen, one pig ran out. Upon asking, he learned that in an attempt to impress him, the chairman had brought in pigs from other farms to fill the pen, causing the animals to fight. Ho Chi Minh severely criticized the situation, pointing out the harmful effects of the achievement obsession. If someone as visionary as Uncle Ho was concerned about the devastating impact of this issue, it is clear how deeply it has corrupted society.

Once we understand the consequences of this obsession, we must take responsibility and act with purpose. As students, we must eliminate this behavior by being serious in our studies, refraining from cheating or bribing for grades. Only when we eradicate this 'disease' can our society become cleaner and more civilized.

Whenever we talk about achievements, everyone desires to attain the highest possible results. There is always a sense of competition within us. When we were children, you might remember how we'd race to eat faster than our parents just to receive praise. Competing for good results is not inherently wrong, but when one is willing to do anything to achieve them, it becomes problematic. Currently, there exists a pressing issue called 'achievement obsession,' where people are solely focused on obtaining high results, disregarding everything else. This 'disease' has significant negative consequences on the development of our society today.

Achievements are supposed to be a measure of one's effort and success. But when we add the word 'disease' in front of it, we understand that it becomes something harmful. People get so caught up in the obsession with achievements that they focus only on the final results, ignoring the process to achieve them. Sometimes, to gain high results, people engage in unethical behavior. For instance, in education, the obsession manifests in cheating to score high, without considering the knowledge gained.

In fact, this obsession with achievements has existed for a long time, and it has been growing over the years. It's not just limited to education, but education is where human development begins. Therefore, the achievement obsession in education is the most discussed. Many schools still chase after high achievement rates, setting targets like 100% success in various competitions. To reach such goals, schools resort to various methods, such as creating specialized tutoring centers. Students are often encouraged to focus solely on one subject, while others are neglected. This encourages students to get caught up in the obsession as well. In some high school graduation exams, schools even allow students to cheat, helping them pass to maintain their performance. If any student fails, the school's results would be impacted.

I remember a funny yet heart-wrenching story my math teacher shared. A student couldn't even read a simple definition from the textbook. When asked a basic addition question, the student couldn’t answer. My teacher took him to the principal, who explained, “He’s not good, but his parents are.” This story made me think deeply. Is it true that nowadays, people are studying not for the knowledge, but just for the achievement? A country that only values false achievements will never progress.

When education fails to produce true talents, it leads to severe consequences. These students, upon entering the workforce, will have no understanding of their real abilities or what they can contribute. They will struggle to find their place in life. In reality, many students who win national awards still fail to graduate.

For society to advance, education must change. Only when education evolves and eliminates the obsession with achievements will society improve. Other fields will also follow suit. Each student must realize that learning is about gaining knowledge for themselves, not just for accumulating achievements.

Do you know? In society, everyone wants to be praised when they achieve success. Achieving great results and being recognized certainly motivates individuals and groups to strive for even more accomplishments. However, it’s sad to see that today, many people are chasing achievements, buying them, or using various tricks to gain recognition and admiration. Achievement has become a serious issue, a 'disease' that is hard to cure.

What does the term 'achievement obsession' really mean? Achievements are the results of hard work, acknowledged as significant milestones. Typically, achievements are celebrated as a way to highlight someone’s perseverance and dedication. When praised, this recognition further motivates the individual to continue striving for success, which in turn encourages others to join the race for more. Clearly, achievements are meant to be positive and can bring great benefits to our lives.

Unfortunately, it's disheartening that nowadays the word 'achievement' is often preceded by the word 'disease.' The term 'achievement obsession' paints a very different picture. When we talk about a 'disease,' we are referring to something harmful. Achievement obsession is when people only care about outward appearances, striving to be praised without possessing the true ability to back up their claims. It’s like a shiny coat of paint hiding the flaws beneath, and with just a small amount of scrutiny, the true weaknesses and shortcomings are exposed.

Achievement obsession has been a persistent issue, slowly creeping into various sectors of society. In the educational sector – which is supposed to be a place of purity – this obsession has even been labeled as 'formalism.' Some schools, obsessed with appearing successful, boast of 100% high-achieving students. They focus on presenting an impressive image, but in reality, these schools may have students who are poorly placed in the wrong grade levels or lack proper awareness. This makes it difficult to distinguish the actual capabilities of students, and sadly, the education system in Vietnam still places heavy emphasis on certificates.

Clearly, achievement obsession has far-reaching negative consequences. First and foremost, it prevents individuals and organizations from understanding their true potential, leading them to become complacent. With everyone chasing achievements, there’s less room for real development. As this obsession grows, society increasingly prioritizes appearance over substance, leading to a sharp decline in the quality of work, while the façade of success remains intact.

Achievement obsession is damaging to all sectors of life. At its core, it stems from negative traits like jealousy and rivalry, symbolized by the saying “a rooster’s crow is a sign of rivalry.” This issue exists in all aspects of life and it is essential that we push it back.

We all must recognize that this obsession needs to be addressed urgently. As Vietnam embarks on its journey of industrialization and modernization, eliminating this 'disease' is more crucial than ever. Only by curing achievement obsession at its root can we combat cheating in exams and foster the creation of a new generation with strong moral values and a better, more civilized society.

It's hard to pinpoint when exactly the 'achievement obsession' became a problem, but it has certainly grown into a serious issue that negatively impacts the development of our society today. Everyone, whether in education, work, or personal life, aspires to achieve great accomplishments. However, in the pursuit of success, some resort to falsifying reports or exaggerating results. Achievements are inflated, manipulated, and artificially amplified to win medals, receive awards, or throw extravagant celebrations with public praise.

Almost every sector suffers from 'achievement obsession.' In factories, where resources are lacking and workers are unemployed, they still report completion of production goals every year. Forestry projects boast about greening barren hills or planting millions of trees, but when inspected, the reality is much different. Those numbers are empty, and the supposed forests are non-existent. The protective forests have been destroyed, and vast areas of land are barren.

The transportation sector faces the same problem. New roads deteriorate quickly, traffic accidents are on the rise, with hundreds dying annually in car crashes or train collisions. Structural issues such as sinking bridge foundations and collapsing bridges have become common occurrences.

In education, 'achievement obsession' has become a chronic issue. Cheating during exams, schools, and local authorities chasing accolades have led to a relaxation of discipline. Fake degrees, fraudulent academic titles, and counterfeit doctors have become disturbingly common. While the slogan 'Say no to corruption' has reduced some negativity, the underlying issues remain entrenched. Achievement obsession has corrupted the morals of officials and workers, leading to the falsification of statistics. For example, reports on bird flu, swine fever, or blue ear disease have sometimes been falsified. The consequences of 'achievement obsession' have caused several disasters. Strict audits and enforcement are essential to tackling this 'cancer.'

Only by curing 'achievement obsession' can our country’s industrialization and modernization efforts progress and achieve significant success. It is only by addressing the root of this problem that we can fight exam cheating and build a new generation with strong moral values, contributing to a better, more civilized society.

In a developing society, each individual or group makes continuous efforts to assert themselves. Medals, certificates, and other accolades are seen as the result of their hard work. However, many view these achievements as the ultimate goal to strive for, creating a societal illness known as 'achievement obsession'.

Normally, the word 'illness' is used when the body is not functioning properly or is infected by a virus or bacteria. Achievements are supposed to be positive outcomes, worthy of recognition and learning. But when paired with the term 'illness,' it takes on a negative connotation, suggesting an abnormality. Could 'Achievement' have transformed into a harmful virus or infection within us?

'Achievement obsession' has become a harmful mindset that many people hold. They believe that degrees are the most important thing and that acquiring them is enough to ensure success. However, the real question is: how did they achieve it, and what was the quality of that achievement? In schools, this obsession infiltrates the system, where teachers, aiming for high scores, offer extra classes. In these classes, students sometimes get previewed exam questions, allowing even weaker students to perform well despite their lack of understanding. This leads to a situation where students, while promoted to the next grade, often lack basic knowledge. This obsession distorts reality, with people focusing on scores rather than the true quality of their abilities.

This problem is growing and has serious long-term consequences. So, what can we do to address this issue? What measures can be taken to reduce its impact? In recent years, the government has implemented various policies to combat this 'illness,' but the effectiveness of these measures has been limited. Achievement obsession arises from individuals' misplaced desires, and overcoming it requires self-discipline and a shift in mindset toward valuing personal development rather than superficial success.

True learning, acquiring real knowledge, is what ultimately benefits a person. Achievements should be seen as external recognition, not as the end goal. Therefore, it is essential for each of us to develop a clear understanding of this issue to guide our future.

In today's fast-paced and modern world, people often give in to the pressures of greed and the need to assert their identity. In doing so, they abandon positive life values, chasing after a superficial and deceitful way of living. This has given rise to a new societal illness: the obsession with achievements.

Achievement is meant to represent the positive outcomes we achieve through hard work and dedication. Having achievements signifies that we have demonstrated our abilities and earned respect within our community. In contrast, the obsession with achievements is a term that carries a negative connotation. It refers to the pursuit of fame and success above all else. This illness is characterized by focusing only on the final result, disregarding the effort it took to get there, and resorting to any means necessary to polish one's reputation. It is driven by the relentless desire for validation from others.

This obsession with achievement has serious consequences for individuals and society. It turns people into selfish and indifferent beings, willing to trample on others and forsake their moral values to satisfy their greed. The pursuit of achievement is often tied to dishonesty, manipulation, and ignorance. It is terrifying to think that society is filled with hypocrites, fake degrees, and pseudo-intellectuals. Knowledge is undervalued and can easily be bought and sold, which undermines the true value of education. Furthermore, the constant obsession with achievements places individuals under immense stress and pressure. While this disease may not be fatal in the same way physical ailments are, it silently corrodes our inner selves. If left unchecked, this obsession will eventually lead to the downfall of society.

It is easy to observe that in many schools, end-of-year ceremonies have become a celebration of achievements. The number of students with excellent grades is often highlighted, while no one considers how many students actually feel proud of or happy in their learning environment, or how many are facing challenges in attending school or dealing with mental health issues. In some cases, schools go so far as to ‘adjust’ students' grades to preserve their image. The 2018 university exam scandal in Ha Giang and Son La provinces serves as a wake-up call for the dangers of this obsession with achievement.

To combat this dangerous illness, each individual must commit to honest learning and personal development. We must resist the allure of hollow fame and preserve our dignity. Society must also unite to denounce those who are driven solely by the desire for recognition. Only then can we hope for a cleaner, more civilized community.

In life, who doesn't appreciate a good achievement and the praise that comes with it? However, it's important for each person to understand what true achievement really is. Today, people often disregard the truth and pursue false achievements, driven by the desire to attain recognition, regardless of the means. This has led to the spread of what we now call the 'achievement disease,' which is having a significant negative impact on societal development.

The term 'achievement disease' refers to the mindset where people are obsessed with having accomplishments, regardless of whether they are legitimate or not. To achieve this, they are willing to resort to unethical actions, including cheating and deceit. This obsession becomes ingrained in their minds like a disease.

As society advances, true achievements are indeed worth acknowledging. However, it is disheartening that, as society progresses, the genuine efforts made to achieve success are now overshadowed by the dangerous spread of this 'achievement disease.'

A clear manifestation of this is seen in the education system. Teachers and schools desire high achievements for their institutions, while parents expect great results for their children. Former Minister of Education, Nguyen Thien Nhan, once stated, 'Teachers and schools crave achievements in the form of high exam results, and millions of parents contribute to this obsession with achievements.'

Parents, in their desire for their children to achieve high grades, are willing to bribe teachers. Teachers, in turn, may manipulate exam supervision to help students get better results in exchange for favor. It's known that student exam results are one of the main criteria for evaluating a teacher's and a school's performance. Good exam results often lead to rewards, salary increases for teachers, and a beautiful report card for students. Everyone benefits. However, behind this is a deeper issue: many parents are simply trying to ensure a better future for their children, often resorting to dishonest means. This stems from a parent's love, but their excessive care unintentionally contributes to the growing spread of the achievement disease.

Every day, media outlets report shocking stories: students placed in the wrong class, sixth graders unable to memorize multiplication tables, or children who can't read and write properly, yet they continue to pass to the next grade. It's heartbreaking to hear about university entrance exams where students have cheat sheets with irrelevant content, and after each exam day, the schoolyard is covered with discarded cheat sheets. This is the tragic reality we face.

The achievement disease in education has become a difficult ailment to cure. It is no longer confined to education; it has spread to many other areas of society. This disease no longer affects just individuals or specific sectors. For example, years ago, there were around 1700 poor districts in the country. After government programs aimed at poverty alleviation, many regions reported escaping poverty. Yet when journalists investigated, hundreds of families were still struggling with hunger and poverty but were officially listed as no longer poor. This is another example of the achievement disease in action.

As long as higher-ups value achievements, subordinates will create false ones. This disease has spread from the small scale to larger sectors, and from the individual to the system. We hear stories about projects and initiatives that exist only on paper, about employment programs, and poverty eradication efforts, all of which are far removed from reality.

The consequences of this obsession with achievements are deeply troubling for society. It erodes integrity, trust, and societal progress. We all know that a society cannot advance without real talent, and real talent requires genuine capability. In modern life, without real skills, one cannot thrive. The achievement disease makes people focus on quantity rather than quality. When a group of people is infected with this disease, the results are empty and lack value. This illness also fosters illusions, deceit, and dishonesty. Over time, it leads people to deteriorate morally and lose the ethical values they once held dear.

As the old saying goes, 'Good wood is better than good paint,' meaning quality should be prioritized over appearance or numbers. Unfortunately, the achievement disease has reversed these values, shattering our cultural traditions. This disease causes individuals to become arrogant, thinking they are exceptional when in reality, they are not. And as we know, illusions rarely last and cannot endure for long.

Therefore, we must take action to prevent and eliminate this disease. Authorities and institutions need to conduct thorough inspections to identify and stop the creation of false achievements. If violations occur, there should be appropriate consequences. Additionally, efforts should be made to raise awareness and educate people on the importance of avoiding and eliminating this harmful obsession. Although this disease is contagious, whether we catch it or not depends entirely on ourselves. We must maintain our self-respect and integrity, for these are the qualities we must spread throughout society.

As our country integrates into the global community and develops, every individual must assert their own value and secure their rightful place. However, we should never compromise our principles to achieve recognition. We must rise through our own abilities, and this is not a difficult task if we always maintain our self-respect and moral integrity.

Achievement is the measurable outcome of human effort. It goes beyond personal material or spiritual gain, though these often motivate individuals to strive harder for personal benefits. However, humans can also work to the fullest for the collective good—society's and the nation's benefit.

In this light, the drive for achievement by an individual or a group is a virtuous quality that should be praised and expanded. Imagine a society where every member strives to achieve higher accomplishments in various fields—sports, culture, art, education, production, commerce, and technology—not only for their personal gain but also for the community’s well-being. Such a society would undoubtedly progress, the country’s economy would surely grow, and the people would become wealthier and more prosperous.

But when does the effort for achievement, an essential quality for each member of society, become a harmful obsession, which we now call the “achievement disease”? Essentially, the core difference between true achievement and the disease of achievement lies in the distinction between genuine and counterfeit products. The crucial factor in this difference is the presence—or lack—of honesty.

The current concern is that the disease of achievement obsession is spreading in our country's education sector. It’s not only affecting a segment of the people working in education but also infecting many families. Mr. Nguyen Thien Nhan, the Minister of Education and Training, a key figure expected to reform our education system, has pointed out that it is not just “teachers and schools pursuing achievement through high exam scores,” but that “tens of millions of parents and students are also co-authors of the achievement obsession.”

To address this serious issue, many factors need further analysis and clarification. Why do schools and teachers crave high exam scores? Could it be because these high scores—even if they don’t truly reflect reality—are the criteria used by the Ministry or Department to evaluate the achievements of school administrators and teachers? And if achievement is highly rated in this way, will school leaders and teachers benefit with salary increases, awards, and perpetuate the disease of achievement obsession? If all schools across the country achieve similar excellent results, won’t the Ministry of Education and Training be recognized for its successful management of education nationwide? Why do parents want their children to score higher than their actual abilities? Here, there are two perspectives: substance and effect. In terms of substance, no parent wants their child to learn falsely. They have invested real money, effort, and time, with real hopes for their child’s future. They have no reason to desire a false result. However, from a pragmatic perspective, they are willing to do whatever it takes, even unethical actions, to ensure their child passes exams and gets a diploma. Ultimately, parents and students are victims of the achievement obsession rather than “co-authors.” When this obsession becomes widespread, who remains immune? In the end, it is society that bears the greater risks and costs. There is a serious waste of time and money due to the achievement disease. When essential human resources for economic development are severely distorted in both quantity and quality, businesses must accept a mix of “genuine” and “counterfeit” workers and allocate more funds for training after recruitment. The achievement disease is a result of formalism, and it breeds copycat learning and memorization. With this obsession, assessment methods and exams become more frequent, burdensome, and complex, yet they remain rigid and formulaic, leaving no space for creativity. Furthermore, an excessive number of barriers only intensifies students' reliance on rote learning and copying.

We all understand that a society seeking progress must have many talented individuals, and talent must come from those who truly learn—those who gain the knowledge and ethical qualities of humanity and the nation through a community-based education system. Education is the starting point, the source of strength for a country’s prosperity. A strong and effective education system will produce individuals who achieve meaningful and honest accomplishments. These genuine achievements will lead to significant progress for the community on the path to development.

Our country is moving forward on the path of reform, openness, integration, and competition with the world to claim a deserving place on the global stage. Whether our nation prospers depends on whether our education system reforms to produce truly educated talents. As we continue to reform education, the achievement obsession must be eradicated. This is not an impossible task, but it will certainly not be easy.