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Upon first receiving the topic for this essay, dread began to flow though my veins. Despite having written dozens—if not baker's dozens—of papers in my high school and collegiate career, I had yet to write an actual research paper. As such, I spent many long minutes trying to think of a good enough idea. Not a great idea, mind you, just good enough. Good enough to blather out six pages of nonsense. Good enough to keep Professor Antonen off my back. Good enough to find six weirdoes who agree with me. Good enough to get an A, but not good enough to really matter. Then the idea hit me in the face like a wet fish. I was engaging in an activity which I despise without actually realizing it: settling. Among my short list of traits I generally dislike, settling—only doing enough work to get by—ranks pretty high. As a typically hard working (if immodest) individual, I have noticed that a majority of people do not try to accomplish a task to the fullest of their ability. No, instead they do just enough to get by or, even worse, expect me to take up the slack. On second though, I will take that back: I can tolerate that trait in and of itself. As a realist, I have realized that not every task needs to be done to absolute perfection, and expecting such would be totally unrealistic. Imagine if you will using twice the necessary number nails to build a house; it would drive up the cost and produce little or no additional strength. Like everything else, mediocrity has a proper time and place. No, the actual aspect of the matter that I truly abhor is the fact is the praise of mediocrity. Since mediocrity serves its purpose, it should not be discouraged per se, but by the same token it should not be rewarded. In this essay I ... ... middle of paper ... ...cceleration,” Journal for the Education of the Gifted. 29. 4 (2006): 404-432 Manning, Maureen A. “Self-Concept and Self-Esteem in Adolescents” Principal Leadership. 7.6 (2007): 11-16 Loveless, Tom and Paul DiPerna. “In Praise of Mediocrity” Education Next. 2007. 20 Mar. 2007 < http://www.hoover.org/publications/ednext/3389406.html> Stossel, John. “Rewarding Mediocrity.” New York Sun Online. 23 Feb. 2006. JFS Productions Inc. 15 Mar. 2007. “Too many teacher colleges major in mediocrity” USA Today.com 3 Mar. 2002. USA Today. 20 Mar. 2007 United States. Department of Commerce. Census Bureau. High School Graduation Rates Reach All-Time High. 29 June 2004. 22 Mar. 2007 >