Kids' questions – Part 6: What were your grades like in high school? Did you ever think you were not smart enough to pursue a career as an astronaut?

Uploaded on March 31, 2017

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Kids' questions – Part 6: What were your grades like in high school? Did you ever think you were not smart enough to pursue a career as an astronaut?

Some of the candidates participating in Canada's 2017 astronaut selection process answer two questions from Jenny, 16 years old, from Hamilton, Ontario: What were your grades like in high school? Did you ever think you were not smart enough to pursue a career as an astronaut? (Credit: Canadian Space Agency)

What were your grades like in high school? Did you ever think you were not smart enough to pursue a career as an astronaut?

Answer 1: I worked very hard all through my schooling, and in high school I managed to score straight A’s. Again hard work and dedication paid off and helped bring me to where I am today.    

Answer 2: When it comes to what my marks were in high school, I’m not really – I don’t remember exactly what they were. I don’t remember always being the best. I just remember working hard and studying a lot.    

Answer 3: I had okay grades, and I think one of the reasons was because I was always very passionate about what it was that I was learning. If we’re curious about questions and we really try and delve into the material and try and use it and apply it to things around us, we can do fairly well. That approach helped me in high school, and it’s really carried through to this day. That’s a really great question. Thank you very much.

Answer 4: All of the individuals I’ve met along the way are hardworking, dedicated professionals, people who have gone above and beyond at every step to ensure that smart wasn’t necessarily the factor.

Answer 5: I definitely felt like I wasn’t smart enough, but I think through dedication and doing your best you can achieve your dreams—you can one day apply and potentially be an astronaut. It just takes time. It takes hard work, and it takes being the best person and the best version of yourself. I hope that answers your question. Thanks so much for your time.

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