Before, when I heard someone was a cum laude, magna cum laude, or even summa cum laude, I felt amazed—almost awestruck. Those titles carried a certain weight, like medals forged through sleepless nights, blood, sweat, and relentless pursuit of excellence. But now, when I scroll through social media and see multiple Latin honorees in just one graduation post, it seems almost... normal. What changed?
One reason often raised is the easy access to knowledge. With digital learning platforms, open educational resources, online libraries, YouTube lectures, and AI-powered tools, students today no longer rely solely on professors or books from the school library. Concepts that once took hours of classroom explanation are now just one search away. This democratization of information allows students to learn faster, review more effectively, and prepare better for assessments.
Second, the grading systems in some universities have evolved. More lenient standards, grade inflation, and less rigid academic penalties contribute to more students achieving higher grades. With online and modular learning during the pandemic, certain performance metrics were adjusted for flexibility and student well-being—which, though important, may have blurred the lines of academic difficulty.
Third, students are more strategic now. They know the required GWA for honors and plan their academic load accordingly. Some avoid difficult electives or professors known to grade strictly. Others maximize their general education subjects or summer classes to pull up their average. This strategic approach wasn't as widespread before.
Another factor is the changing philosophy of education. Many institutions now emphasize “inclusive excellence” rather than the old model of academic “survival of the fittest.” There's a stronger focus on mental health, collaborative learning, and helping more students succeed—not just rewarding the top few.
Still, while the number of Latin honor graduates may have increased, it doesn’t mean they are less deserving. It just means the academic landscape has shifted. The criteria changed. The tools evolved. But excellence, in any era, requires dedication. Perhaps what we need now is to reframe how we view honors—not just by rarity, but by the story behind each name.
So yes, honors may seem more common now—but the effort behind them still deserves respect. We just have to look beyond the title, and ask: What did this student overcome to earn it?
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