10 Years Later, I Earned a PhD: Life Lessons from Students Dismissed by National Education

Being belittled by a teacher is something many students can relate to. A remark made loudly in front of the entire class, a comment that sticks in the memory like a label: “you’re not cut out for this”, “you’ll never make it”, “stop dreaming”. For some, these words linger and hurt for a long time, creating blocks, doubts, and even hindering progress as they grow older. Yet for others, such remarks act as a catalyst. They ignite a desire to prove their worth beyond what they are told. They become stubborn, continue to work hard with one goal in mind: to prove everyone wrong.

These are the stories that several teachers have chosen to highlight on TikTok, like the economics and management teacher known as @sharingmyway. Last December, he posted a video asking his followers: “What’s the most memorable thing a teacher ever told you?” Many users participated and shared, unfiltered, the most discouraging remarks they’ve received.

“‘She’d be better off in a vocational track, general education isn’t for her.’ Result: I have a master’s degree, I’m a teacher… and I became her colleague,” commented one user. “One day, a teacher told me I was good for nothing and that I’d end up on the streets. Today, I own my business,” shared a man, demonstrating that one can turn judgment into a driving force for success. Another woman wrote: “‘She can do a science baccalaureate, but she won’t go any further.’ Ten years later, I have a doctorate in physiotherapy and am transitioning to become a dentist. Sometimes, it’s better not to listen.”

Conversely, some teachers leave a lasting impact on their students with just a simple phrase, a well-placed word, that encourages them to excel. This is what the teacher behind @sharingmyway experienced. Under his video, he shared a personal anecdote: “Why didn’t you do a preparatory class? my teacher asked me during my first year of higher education, freshly graduated with a general diploma. She was also the first to talk to me about elite schools.” These seemingly simple sentences opened up a new world to him and revealed his potential. A pivotal encounter, which partly inspired him to become a teacher himself!