--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: That's my school. I worked harder to get…" description: "\"“That's my school. I worked harder to get in than I did for anything else, ever. I went there because, coming out of it, I'd be able to be President. O..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/327/ned-vizzini-1483_loser_that-s-my-school-i-worked-harder-to-get_1059008.jpg" --- # That's my school. I worked harder to get in than I did for… ![“That's my school. I worked harder to get in than I did for anything else, ever. I went there because, coming out of it, I'd be able to be President. Or a lawyer. Rich, that's the point. Rich and successful. And look where it got me. One stupid year and here I am with not one, but two bracelets on…” quote by Ned Vizzini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/327/ned-vizzini-1483_loser_that-s-my-school-i-worked-harder-to-get_1059008.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/327/ned-vizzini-1483_loser_that-s-my-school-i-worked-harder-to-get_1059008.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/327/ned-vizzini-1483_loser_that-s-my-school-i-worked-harder-to-get_1059008.jpg) > ““That's my school. I worked harder to get in than I did for anything else, ever. I went there because, coming out of it, I'd be able to be President. Or a lawyer. Rich, that's the point. Rich and successful. And look where it got me. One stupid year and here I am with not one, but two bracelets on my wrist, next to a shrink in a room adjacent to a hall where there's a guy named Human Being walking around. If I keep doing this for three more years, where will I be? I'll be a complete loser. And what If I keep on? What if I do okay, live with the depression, get into College, do College, go to Grad School, get the Job, get the Money, get Kids and a Wife and a Nice Car? What kind of crap will I be in then? I'll be completely crazy.”” [Ned Vizzini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-vizzini/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker reflects on the pressure of elite education and future expectations, fearing that relentless ambition may lead to emptiness and mental health decline. **In simple terms:** Worried that chasing success may cause burnout and loss of purpose. Key Takeaway Balance ambition with mental health. Themes ambition mental health future expectations education identity Mood anxious reflective Type personal philosophical When to use this quote - college planning - career counseling - therapy sessions - personal goal setting Key Concepts Societal pressure self-worth existential anxiety Questions to Reflect On - What defines success for you? - How can you pursue goals without sacrificing wellbeing? A Different Perspective Success without purpose can be hollow and harmful. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Loser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loser/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) ## Related quotes > [Everything I learned about the Great Depression was from a college textbook.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-abernathy/everything-i-learned-about-the-great-depression-was-from-a-college/) [Ralph Abernathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-abernathy/) > [“recent college grad and”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-white/recent-college-grad-and/) [Kate White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-white/) > [I cannot stand Hollywood child performances. 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I didn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-karnazes/i-went-to-college-grad-school-i-got-an-m-b-a-had-a-really-cush/) [Dean Karnazes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-karnazes/) > [Companies can't delegate social media to the new college grad and think they have it covered.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clara-shih/companies-can-t-delegate-social-media-to-the-new-college-grad-and/) [Clara Shih](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clara-shih/) > [We hear the stories every day now: the father who puts on a suit every morning and leaves the house so his daughter doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/we-hear-the-stories-every-day-now-the-father-who-puts-on-a-suit-every/) [Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/) > [You will be raising these kids in your mind your whole life. And they will change you. Your little contribution to it - twenty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-ayers/you-will-be-raising-these-kids-in-your-mind-your-whole-life-and-they/) [Bill Ayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-ayers/) > [Five hundred years from now, who'll know the difference?!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-m-schulz/five-hundred-years-from-now-who-ll-know-the-difference/) [Charles M. Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-m-schulz/) > [In two years, I'll be making more than Michael Schumacher.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-piquet/in-two-years-i-ll-be-making-more-than-michael-schumacher/) [Nelson Piquet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-piquet/) > [“In ten years, you'll be on a stamp / where anyone at all can lick you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/in-ten-years-you-ll-be-on-a-stamp-where-anyone-at-all-can-lick-you/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [One hundred years from now, we'll all be dead. It's hard to believe. One hundred years from now, everyone we see every day will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-ayers/one-hundred-years-from-now-we-ll-all-be-dead-it-s-hard-to-believe-one/) [Bill Ayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-ayers/) > [“Can I trust him again? Even after all he said? If I do and I'm wrong, the cost is too high. My life. "You'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-jordan/can-i-trust-him-again-even-after-all-he-said-if-i-do-and-i-m-wrong/) [Sophie Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-jordan/) > [I just assume that I'll fail at something for several years - that I'll try my hardest and still fail for several years. With…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philipp-meyer/i-just-assume-that-i-ll-fail-at-something-for-several-years-that-i-ll/) [Philipp Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philipp-meyer/) > [“Just a few more years and then we'll join the circus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-s-jones/just-a-few-more-years-and-then-we-ll-join-the-circus/) [Ray S. Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-s-jones/) ## More by Ned Vizzini > [I want to live but I want to die. What do I do?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-vizzini/i-want-to-live-but-i-want-to-die-what-do-i-do/) [Ned Vizzini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-vizzini/) > [“See, because being Cool is obviously the most important thing on earth. It’s more important than getting a job, or having a girlfriend, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-vizzini/see-because-being-cool-is-obviously-the-most-important-thing-on-earth/) [Ned Vizzini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-vizzini/) > [“She puts on her poker face; I don’t have any extra faces to put on, just the normal Craig face.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-vizzini/she-puts-on-her-poker-face-i-don-t-have-any-extra-faces-to-put-on/) [Ned Vizzini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-vizzini/) > [“pro scienta atque sapienta-Latin- for science and wisdom It's a Darwinian popularity contest. at all times, the question on everyone's mind is, "who's coolest?"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-vizzini/pro-scienta-atque-sapienta-latin-for-science-and-wisdom-it-s-a/) [Ned Vizzini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-vizzini/) > [I think you run out of 'I love yous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-vizzini/i-think-you-run-out-of-i-love-yous/) [Ned Vizzini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-vizzini/) > [So now live for real, Craig. Live. Live. Live. Live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-vizzini/so-now-live-for-real-craig-live-live-live-live/) [Ned Vizzini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-vizzini/) > [“...one quarter of your life is spent as a minor; you might as well make the best of it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-vizzini/one-quarter-of-your-life-is-spent-as-a-minor-you-might-as-well-make/) [Ned Vizzini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-vizzini/) > [Once you have a kid, it's amazing how quickly people ask, 'So are you going to stop at just one?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-vizzini/once-you-have-a-kid-it-s-amazing-how-quickly-people-ask-so-are-you/) [Ned Vizzini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-vizzini/) > [“So when I ran out of the final bottle of Zoloft, I didn’t take any more. I didn’t call Dr. Barney either. I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-vizzini/so-when-i-ran-out-of-the-final-bottle-of-zoloft-i-didn-t-take-any/) [Ned Vizzini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-vizzini/) > [“If Bobby can get a place to live, I think, then I can get a life worth living.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-vizzini/if-bobby-can-get-a-place-to-live-i-think-then-i-can-get-a-life-worth/) [Ned Vizzini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-vizzini/) > [“Up next is Noelle. 'Hey, girl!' 'Don't you dare start calling me that. This is very nice of you to do.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-vizzini/up-next-is-noelle-hey-girl-don-t-you-dare-start-calling-me-that-this/) [Ned Vizzini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-vizzini/) > [They're sort of ancillary anyway, friends. I mean, they're important -- everybody knows that; the TV tells you so -- but they come and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-vizzini/they-re-sort-of-ancillary-anyway-friends-i-mean-they-re-important/) [Ned Vizzini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-vizzini/) > [“There are only things that could have turned out differently. You don't have any shoulds or woulds in your life, see? You only have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-vizzini/there-are-only-things-that-could-have-turned-out-differently-you-don/) [Ned Vizzini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-vizzini/) > [That's what gets me through the day. Knowing that I could do it. That I'm strong enough to do it and I can get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-vizzini/that-s-what-gets-me-through-the-day-knowing-that-i-could-do-it-that-i/) [Ned Vizzini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-vizzini/) > [I like how you don't hide your problems like everyone else, and I don't have to hide mine when I'm around you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-vizzini/i-like-how-you-don-t-hide-your-problems-like-everyone-else-and-i-don/) [Ned Vizzini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-vizzini/) [Explore all 237 Ned Vizzini quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-vizzini/) ## More Loser quotes > [Everybody has bad days, but how you respond to it is a testament to whether you are a winner or a loser.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/everybody-has-bad-days-but-how-you-respond-to-it-is-a-testament-to/) [Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) > [I just didn't want to be a loser anymore... -Mitsuko Souma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/koushun-takami/i-just-didn-t-want-to-be-a-loser-anymore-mitsuko-souma/) [Koushun Takami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/koushun-takami/) > [Show me a good and gracious loser and I'll show you a failure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/knute-rockne/show-me-a-good-and-gracious-loser-and-i-ll-show-you-a-failure/) [Knute Rockne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/knute-rockne/) > [Winners are losers who got up and gave it one more try.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-deyoung/winners-are-losers-who-got-up-and-gave-it-one-more-try/) [Dennis DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-deyoung/) > [“He wants to dream like a young man with the wisdom of a old man, he wants his home and securities, he wants to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-seger/he-wants-to-dream-like-a-young-man-with-the-wisdom-of-a-old-man-he/) [Bob Seger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-seger/) > [I'm a very anxious, nervy kind of loser in many ways, and I get very stressed and a little tense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-weeks/i-m-a-very-anxious-nervy-kind-of-loser-in-many-ways-and-i-get-very/) [Ed Weeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-weeks/) > [It's nice to be in first place. But just because you're not on a winner doesn't mean you're a loser.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-torre/it-s-nice-to-be-in-first-place-but-just-because-you-re-not-on-a/) [Joe Torre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-torre/) > [Always leave a sinking ship. There's no virtue in hanging on to losers. And stocks don't have feelings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-dunnan/always-leave-a-sinking-ship-there-s-no-virtue-in-hanging-on-to-losers/) [Nancy Dunnan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-dunnan/) > [Those Aussie rugby fans are a bunch of sore losers. I hate 'em all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonny-wilkinson/those-aussie-rugby-fans-are-a-bunch-of-sore-losers-i-hate-em-all/) [Jonny Wilkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonny-wilkinson/) > [When you look around you wonder do you play to win? Or are you just a bad loser?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pet-shop-boys/when-you-look-around-you-wonder-do-you-play-to-win-or-are-you-just-a/) [Pet Shop Boys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pet-shop-boys/) > [Nothing would make me happier than to train the next winner on 'The Biggest Loser' because it means the world to me. Everybody has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cara-castronuova/nothing-would-make-me-happier-than-to-train-the-next-winner-on-the/) [Cara Castronuova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cara-castronuova/) > [Literature is not a sack race. There aren't real winners and losers in the Republic of Letters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-baxter/literature-is-not-a-sack-race-there-aren-t-real-winners-and-losers-in/) [Charles Baxter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-baxter/) > [America loves a winner, and will not tolerate a loser, this is why America has never, and will never, lose a war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/america-loves-a-winner-and-will-not-tolerate-a-loser-this-is-why/) [George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/) > [I can see that I imagine all kinds of rejection that never happens. I can see that I beg and plead for love that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-wurtzel/i-can-see-that-i-imagine-all-kinds-of-rejection-that-never-happens-i/) [Elizabeth Wurtzel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-wurtzel/) > [It will be great to play a short, fat sweaty loser for a change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricky-gervais/it-will-be-great-to-play-a-short-fat-sweaty-loser-for-a-change/) [Ricky Gervais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricky-gervais/) [Browse all 1,203 Loser quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loser/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“That's my school. I worked harder to get in than I did for anything else, ever. I went there because, coming out of it, I'd be able to be President. Or a lawyer. Rich, that's the point. Rich and successful. And look where it got me. One stupid year and here I am with not one, but two bracelets on my wrist, next to a shrink in a room adjacent to a hall where there's a guy named Human Being walking around. If I keep doing this for three more years, where will I be? I'll be a complete loser. And what If I keep on? What if I do okay, live with the depression, get into College, do College, go to Grad School, get the Job, get the Money, get Kids and a Wife and a Nice Car? What kind of crap will I be in then? 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