--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was terrible student. I was capable…" description: "\"I was terrible student. I was capable, but I never like being told what to do, so I was always in the bottom class at school. In Australia, a lot of st..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bca/chris-lilley-10497_bottom_i-was-terrible-student-i-was-capable-but_3823.jpg" --- # I was terrible student. I was capable, but I never like… ![“I was terrible student. I was capable, but I never like being told what to do, so I was always in the bottom class at school. In Australia, a lot of students study to the end of year 10, but don't go on to the final year, and I was asked to leave the school because they just thought I wasn't…” quote by Chris Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bca/chris-lilley-10497_bottom_i-was-terrible-student-i-was-capable-but_3823.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bca/chris-lilley-10497_bottom_i-was-terrible-student-i-was-capable-but_3823.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bca/chris-lilley-10497_bottom_i-was-terrible-student-i-was-capable-but_3823.jpg) > “I was terrible student. I was capable, but I never like being told what to do, so I was always in the bottom class at school. In Australia, a lot of students study to the end of year 10, but don't go on to the final year, and I was asked to leave the school because they just thought I wasn't performing well enough. I used to sneak off to play piano, and defy the rules of the school.” [Chris Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-lilley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A self-described rebellious student who resisted authority, excelled in music, and faced institutional pushback for nonconformity. **In simple terms:** Defying school norms Key Takeaway Creativity over compliance Themes rebellion education system talent vs. grades self‑direction Mood frustrated defiant Type confessional critical When to use this quote - high‑school counseling - parent‑teacher meetings - music education programs Key Concepts nonconformity alternative learning Practical Applications - alternative education models - creative mentorship Questions to Reflect On - Why do institutions penalize unconventional talent? - How can schools nurture independent thinkers? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bottom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bottom/) [Capable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capable/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [End Of Year](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/end-of-year-230308/) [Enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enough/) [Leave School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leave-school/) [Performing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performing/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [School Australia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school-australia-282321/) [Sneak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sneak/) [Student Capable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/student-capable-282322/) [Students](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/students/) [Study](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/study/) [Terrible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/terrible/) [Terrible Student](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/terrible-student-282318/) [Year 10](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/year-10-282320/) ## Related quotes > [How can we help a child change from undependable to dependable, from a mediocre student to a capable student, from someone who won't amount…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haim-ginott/how-can-we-help-a-child-change-from-undependable-to-dependable-from-a/) [Haim Ginott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haim-ginott/) > [Never do anything for a student that he he is capable of doing for himself. If you do you, you'll make him an educational…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-g-hendricks/never-do-anything-for-a-student-that-he-he-is-capable-of-doing-for/) [Howard G. Hendricks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-g-hendricks/) > [No, it's not easy as it seems sometimes, but hitting year 10 is definitely special because it's not too many people that can do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-wagner/no-it-s-not-easy-as-it-seems-sometimes-but-hitting-year-10-is/) [Bobby Wagner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-wagner/) > [“While I fielded holiday news requests and worked on my end of year expense reports, the Angel of Death sat opposite my desk and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elicia-hyder/while-i-fielded-holiday-news-requests-and-worked-on-my-end-of-year/) [Elicia Hyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elicia-hyder/) > [But he cannot see a connection between the end of yearning and the end of poetry. Is that what growing up amounts to: growing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-he-cannot-see-a-connection-between-the-end-of-yearning-and-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My younger brother Liam is in Year 10 and is doing an acting course.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-hemsworth/my-younger-brother-liam-is-in-year-10-and-is-doing-an-acting-course/) [Chris Hemsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-hemsworth/) > [I was the star of one of the school plays when I was in Year 10. It was 'Bugsy Malone.' There is probably footage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finn-cole/i-was-the-star-of-one-of-the-school-plays-when-i-was-in-year-10-it/) [Finn Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finn-cole/) > [It's quite funny in that I once won Rear of the Year at my school! I was about 17 in the sixth form and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-ennis/it-s-quite-funny-in-that-i-once-won-rear-of-the-year-at-my-school-i/) [Jessica Ennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-ennis/) > [I was a terrible student. For me, to take a book home was a trial.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-horowitz/i-was-a-terrible-student-for-me-to-take-a-book-home-was-a-trial/) [Vladimir Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-horowitz/) > [An exceedingly confident student would in theory make a terrible student. Why would he take school seriously when he feels that he can outwit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/an-exceedingly-confident-student-would-in-theory-make-a-terrible/) [Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/) > [I was terrible student at Michigan, terrible. Because there was too much else to do. I was learning form too many other sources to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-ayers/i-was-terrible-student-at-michigan-terrible-because-there-was-too/) [Bill Ayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-ayers/) > [I was a really good student, first, second grade, third grade, and then fourth grade a little bit. And then I don't know what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enes-kanter/i-was-a-really-good-student-first-second-grade-third-grade-and-then/) [Enes Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enes-kanter/) > [I was a terrible student. When I went to Sidwell Friends, there were 100 kids in my class. I was the worst student, by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/davis-guggenheim/i-was-a-terrible-student-when-i-went-to-sidwell-friends-there-were/) [Davis Guggenheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/davis-guggenheim/) > [I was a terrible student.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rex-ryan/i-was-a-terrible-student/) [Rex Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rex-ryan/) > [I was a terrible student. I didn't graduate magna cum laude: I graduated 'Thank you, Lawdy!'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-sharpe/i-was-a-terrible-student-i-didn-t-graduate-magna-cum-laude-i/) [Shannon Sharpe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-sharpe/) ## More by Chris Lilley > [I'll probably be still playing a school girl when I'm 60.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-lilley/i-ll-probably-be-still-playing-a-school-girl-when-i-m-60/) [Chris Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-lilley/) > [There are bits of me in all my characters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-lilley/there-are-bits-of-me-in-all-my-characters/) [Chris Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-lilley/) > [I think it just really excites me, the idea of delving so far into a character that people actually believe it's real, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-lilley/i-think-it-just-really-excites-me-the-idea-of-delving-so-far-into-a/) [Chris Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-lilley/) > [I like the boundaries, the kinds of conventions of a documentary and having to work within that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-lilley/i-like-the-boundaries-the-kinds-of-conventions-of-a-documentary-and/) [Chris Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-lilley/) > [I think sometimes people become quite emotional about the characters as well, and that's pretty cool that you can get that emotion out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-lilley/i-think-sometimes-people-become-quite-emotional-about-the-characters/) [Chris Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-lilley/) > [I'm not a big comedy show-watcher, but I love Ricky Gervais' stuff and Sacha Baron Cohen's things. But I'm not an expert on them.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-lilley/i-m-not-a-big-comedy-show-watcher-but-i-love-ricky-gervais-stuff-and/) [Chris Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-lilley/) > [I like playing all sorts of ages and genders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-lilley/i-like-playing-all-sorts-of-ages-and-genders/) [Chris Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-lilley/) > [You feel the pressure of going to university because you need a back-up plan, which is why I enrolled.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-lilley/you-feel-the-pressure-of-going-to-university-because-you-need-a-back/) [Chris Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-lilley/) > [Films do seem prestigious and glamorous, but when you create something, you want people to see it. TV still reaches so many more people;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-lilley/films-do-seem-prestigious-and-glamorous-but-when-you-create-something/) [Chris Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-lilley/) > [Once I got into high school, any time I had to do a talk or a speech, I just loved being up in front…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-lilley/once-i-got-into-high-school-any-time-i-had-to-do-a-talk-or-a-speech-i/) [Chris Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-lilley/) > [I'm not really a management-type person. It doesn't suit my personality to be bossing people around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-lilley/i-m-not-really-a-management-type-person-it-doesn-t-suit-my/) [Chris Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-lilley/) > [Playing girls is cool, but its a lot more fun playing boys.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-lilley/playing-girls-is-cool-but-its-a-lot-more-fun-playing-boys/) [Chris Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-lilley/) > [I was sure 'Summer Heights High' would be a cult ABC thing; I had no idea it would be such a big hit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-lilley/i-was-sure-summer-heights-high-would-be-a-cult-abc-thing-i-had-no/) [Chris Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-lilley/) > [I'm definitely attracted to the idea of people that have these big aspirations that the audience know might never happen, but they're lost in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-lilley/i-m-definitely-attracted-to-the-idea-of-people-that-have-these-big/) [Chris Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-lilley/) > [You can't get any better than TV on HBO, ABC and BBC3.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-lilley/you-can-t-get-any-better-than-tv-on-hbo-abc-and-bbc3/) [Chris Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-lilley/) [Explore all 65 Chris Lilley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-lilley/) ## More Bottom quotes > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Filmmaking, like sex, isn't a polite enterprise. It involves a lot of mess and the bottom line is, if somebody ain't screaming, you're not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-woods/filmmaking-like-sex-isn-t-a-polite-enterprise-it-involves-a-lot-of/) [James Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-woods/) > [The contempt for law and the contempt for the human consequences of lawbreaking go from the bottom to the top of American society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mead/the-contempt-for-law-and-the-contempt-for-the-human-consequences-of/) [Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mead/) > [I plead with my Moonlight fans to give this show a chance if they let me give it a chance. I can’t do Moonlight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-o-loughlin/i-plead-with-my-moonlight-fans-to-give-this-show-a-chance-if-they-let/) [Alex O'Loughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-o-loughlin/) > [Well, the bottom line is that I'm extremely pleased with 'The Stupids.' I'm pleased that it's coming out, and it should look good. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-landis/well-the-bottom-line-is-that-i-m-extremely-pleased-with-the-stupids-i/) [John Landis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-landis/) > [Search for the seed of good in every adversity. Master that principle and you will own a precious shield that will guard you well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/og-mandino/search-for-the-seed-of-good-in-every-adversity-master-that-principle/) [Og Mandino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/og-mandino/) > [I would have had a clause in my contract; I would've definitely put some fine print in my contract that said, "If the president…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-budden/i-would-have-had-a-clause-in-my-contract-i-would-ve-definitely-put/) [Joe Budden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-budden/) > [Of course the Dharma-body of the Buddha was the hedge at the bottom of the garden. At the same time, and no less obviously,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/of-course-the-dharma-body-of-the-buddha-was-the-hedge-at-the-bottom/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [When I hit bottom, I can attack the problem and get to where I want to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-rodman/when-i-hit-bottom-i-can-attack-the-problem-and-get-to-where-i-want-to/) [Dennis Rodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-rodman/) > [If I had lost the popular vote but won the electoral college and in my first day as president the intelligence community came to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/if-i-had-lost-the-popular-vote-but-won-the-electoral-college-and-in/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [The bottom line, in the professional level, no matter where you go, there's going to be competition. That's what it is. At the end…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-tolzien/the-bottom-line-in-the-professional-level-no-matter-where-you-go/) [Scott Tolzien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-tolzien/) > [Life is a climb and it's a struggle getting to the top but the drop to the bottom can be quick and so I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miley-cyrus/life-is-a-climb-and-it-s-a-struggle-getting-to-the-top-but-the-drop/) [Miley Cyrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miley-cyrus/) > [One thing you learned as a Cubs fan: when you bought you ticket, you could bank on seeing the bottom of the ninth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-garagiola/one-thing-you-learned-as-a-cubs-fan-when-you-bought-you-ticket-you/) [Joe Garagiola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-garagiola/) > [The political satirist usually votes against their own interests, but the bottom line is that it doesn't really matter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lizz-winstead/the-political-satirist-usually-votes-against-their-own-interests-but/) [Lizz Winstead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lizz-winstead/) > [When the savages of Louisiana wish to have fruit, they cut the tree at the bottom and gather the fruit. That is exactly a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-de-montesquieu/when-the-savages-of-louisiana-wish-to-have-fruit-they-cut-the-tree-at/) [Baron de Montesquieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-de-montesquieu/) [Browse all 2,558 Bottom quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bottom/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I was terrible student. I was capable, but I never like being told what to do, so I was always in the bottom class at school. In Australia, a lot of students study to the end of year 10, but don't go on to the final year, and I was asked to leave the school because they just thought I wasn't performing well enough. 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